Otaki Mail January 2022

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January 2022

Merry Christmas z Meri Kirihimete z Shèng dàn kuài lè z

Santa in Ōtaki Page 3

Christmas Gifts Page 9

Poinsettia care Page 12

Happy New Year

A RIVERSTONE GIFT CARD – the ultimate CHRISTMAS present

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Safe beaches over summer Page 24

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Ōtaki Mail – January 2022 Sponsored content

Reevedon Home residents say thank you very, very much To show their appreciation to the staff of Enliven’s Reevedon Home, long-time and oldest resident Wynne Bullen (103) recently organised a ‘thankathon’ event for staff.

“There was a feeling as though we were all in the doldrums with the ever-changing COVID-19 alert levels and needed a way to let the staff, the girls we love, know how grateful we are for their care and attention and cheer them up at the same time,” says Wynne.

Evelyn Yule played the piano as residents sang the well-known ‘Thank You Very Much’ song from the 1970’s musical ‘Scrooge’ with lyrics added by Wynne to fit the occasion, including thanks for staff’s dedication, administration, fun and laughter.

More songs were followed by a conga line and then heartfelt speeches and comments from a number of residents, including Wynne and Walton Mathieson-Ngatai.

Staff were served a lavish morning tea by residents – headed up by Mary Linehan – featuring muffins, cakes, and savouries. They were also presented with a thank you card filled with kind messages.

Enrolled nurse Vicki Close says the thanks was reciprocal.

“It was a lovely opportunity to show it works both ways and we are grateful to be looking after such wonderful residents here at Reevedon Home,” she says.

In Levin Enliven offers a full continuum of care from independent retirement living to rest home, hospital and dementia care, short-term respite and health recovery care.

To learn more about Enliven’s philosophy and services, visit www.enlivencentral.org.nz.

You can also call 06 368 7900 (Reevedon Home) or 06 366 0052 (Levin Home).

free phone

0508 ENLIVEN

Feel at home with Enliven in Horowhenua

Across Horowhenua, Enliven offers lively welcoming communities with specialist offerings. Enliven creates elder-centred communities that recognise the individual and supports people in a way that’s right for them.

Wynne Bullen and Walton Mathieson-Ngatai voice their thanks.

In Levin, Enliven offers: • Levin War Veterans Home • Reevedon Home and Village retirement villages rest home hospital dementia short term respite health recovery day programmes

Freephone 0508 ENLIVEN or visit

www.enlivencentral.org.nz Sponsored content

Cheaper, easier way to settle small disputes

BY FLEUR HOBSON

New Zealand’s legal system has a way people can settle small disputes without the cost and stress of going to court.

The Ministry of Justice runs the Disputes Tribunal of New Zealand, which can settle disputes for claims up to $30,000.

The decisions of the tribunal are legally binding, and this means people must follow its decisions.

The tribunal can help with disputes about a wide variety of issues.

Some examples are: disputes about damage to a car or bike in an accident or when someone borrowed the vehicle; disputes about fences, property damage, borrowed property that hasn’t been returned, and flatmates not doing what

they agreed to; disputes about goods you’ve bought that don’t work properly, whether a tradesman has done work properly, charges for work done, and loss caused by misleading advertising; and debts that consider you should not have to pay for some reason.

One very important aspect is that you can use the tribunal even if you have signed an agreement saying you won’t do that.

To make a claim you need to do two things. You need to fill out a form, which you can find on the Disputes Tribunal website, https://disputestribunal.govt.nz/.

The second thing you need to do is pay a fee. The fee for filing an application depends on the amount you are claiming.

For less than $2,000 the fee is $45, from

$2,000 to $4,999 the fee is $90 and from $5,000 to $30,000 the fee is $180.

A lawyer cannot represent you in a Disputes Tribunal hearing.

That does not mean that a lawyer cannot help you, especially when preparing for a hearing. Many people, in fact, get advice from the lawyer and find that it proves invaluable.

There are many things you will need to do when you are preparing for the hearing.

One, for example, is to gather the evidence you need to advance your claim.

Depending on your case, this could include things like quotes, contracts, invoices, receipts, photos, letters and Police reports.

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A lawyer can also help you with what you need to say and the best way to say it.

Although a lawyer cannot represent you at the hearing, you can bring to the hearing any legal references you have, including the advice you have received from a lawyer.

As well as presenting your case in person at the hearing, you can also provide the tribunal with your case in writing (known as a written submission), and a lawyer can help with that too.

At Susie Mills Law, we will be happy to help you if you are considering making a claim to the Disputes Tribunal. Contact Fleur, Susie or Freya at Susie Mills Law, 364 7190, 282 Mill Road – opposite Farmlands.

Ōtaki Mail For news and advertising contact: Penny Gaylor Editor phone: 027 664 8869, or email: otakimail@xtra.co.nz Printed by Beacon Print.

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Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

50 years major milestone for Ōtaki vet

BY FRANK NEILL Ōtaki veterinary surgeon Graham Kirker passed a major milestone in November – serving people and their animals for 50 years.

The majority of his half century as a veterinarian has been in Ōtaki and its greater area, where he has served for 41 years.

Mr Kirker decided early in life that he wanted to become a vet.

He grew up on a large farm in Southland and this gave him an affinity for all animals. Seeing the work of their local Irish vet when he regularly visited their farm led Mr Kirker to decide, when he was just 10 years old, that he would become a vet.

So in 1967 he began his five years’ study towards a veterinary science degree at Massey University. On completing his degree in 1971, he then kicked off his career in a Taranaki veterinary club in November 1971.

Mr Kirker came to Ōtaki in 1980 to become part of a veterinary partnership with Graham Carthew, who has now retired. The two Grahams operated out of clinics in Ōtaki and Waikanae.

After about a decade, he went on his own, setting up a sole practice from a Clinic in Dunstan Street and continued there for 16 years working long hours and handling a very large caseload.

The practice was known as Graham Kirker Veterinary Surgeon. New owners took over the practice in 2004 and

continued the same business name for a few years and then changed the name to Ōtaki Animal Health.

Mr Kirker then practised overseas and in the Wairarapa before moving back to Ōtaki. Upon his return to New Zealand, he worked for the Dunstan Street practice for a number of years before moving to Ōtaki Vets in Mill Road, where he still works part-time.

“The highlight of my career has been providing an accessible and affordable veterinary service all hours to all people and their animals in Ōtaki and district community, while at the same time setting a high standard of veterinary work,” he says.

He has worked with a wide variety of animal species over most of his career, including Angora goats, but currently focuses on companion animals.

“I have had many interesting experiences, and rewarding cases by virtue of all the different animals worked with and places and countries I have worked.

“These include, and my career has taken me to Taranaki, Western Victoria, Wairarapa, Bay of Plenty, Ōtaki, Wairarapa, North Wales, Wairarapa again and Ōtaki again, in that chronological order.”

Asked if he planned to continue working until he reached the 60-year milestone, Mr Kirker said he would not as “I owe myself some retirement time”.

Steam train bringing Santa to Ōtaki

BY FRANK NEILL Santa is coming to Ōtaki on 18 and 19 December, and this year he will be bringing Mrs Claus with him.

Santa and Mrs Claus will arrive in town on the North Pole Express, a train of 10 carriages hauled by a steam locomotive.

The trains will leave Paraparaumu at noon, 3pm and 7pm on 18 December.

The next day, the trains will leave at 10am, 1pm and 5pm.

Each of the six trips will include an Ōtaki stopover of about 20 or 25 minutes before making the return journey. Santa and Mrs Claus will move off the train and be available for local people to see and for local children to sit on Santa’s knee.

“I am very excited to be back,” says Te Horo resident Sarah Ferguson, who organises this Christmas activity as principal of On Train Events.

“Any sort of event is quite at risk with COVID.” Fortunately, however, COVID-19 has not caused the event to be cancelled, but it has meant some changes. The train will carry just under 300 people on each trip, compared with 450 per trip last year.

The North Pole Express is very grateful for the support it receives locally, Sarah adds. As an example, the Ōtaki Golden Oldies netball team is helping as the main ground crew in the town, as they did last year also.

Santa Claus about to move off the North Pole Express during its stop in Ōtaki last year.

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Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

Ōtaki Foodbank

BY MARGARET ANDREWS With the busy Christmas season getting closer, demand for help from the Ōtaki Foodbank increases, but the people of Ōtaki are very generous and help keep the shelves stocked. Ōtaki’s real estate agents, Tall Poppy, presented a $5000 “cheque” to the Foodbank to help with the Christmas demand, their agents put in $1000.

“We’re strong on putting back into the community,” Brendon Heenan said. “We’ve been supporting the Foodbank for years.”

Foodbank manager, Lucy Tahere, thanked them for all the support. “Brendon and

Tall Poppy over the years have been a wonderful support to our Foodbank and working alongside us.”

Lucy acknowledged the Ōtaki community who have supported the Foodbank over another difficult year. “On behalf of the Foodbank we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude for the support from our community and wish all a safe and happy Christmas,” she said.

The Foodbank will be closed from December 25 to January 18, if people require assistance during this time, please phone Work and Income.

BY VIVIENNE BAILEY

Feathers for Hyde Park Village

Feathers Café is now situated in the premises of what was previously the well-loved Te Horo Café, 8 Hyde Park Village, Te Horo Beach Road (Feathers also have a restaurant, Byron’s at Ōtaki Beach).

Always a favourite stopping place for locals, the new café offers an all-day breakfast and lunch menu with a strong focus on seafood, particularly whitebait and paua, and burgers. Other options include keto, gluten free, sugar free and vegan. Serving Mojo coffee (and takeaways) the café is open 10.00am to 3.00pm weekdays and 9.00am to 3.00pm weekends.

Extra tables and chairs have been added outside – Feathers Café caters to both vaccinated and non-vaccinated (at current orange traffic light restrictions).

Neither rain nor COVID could dampen Te Horo School’s recent Ag Night.

Agricultural celebrations included container gardens, and sand saucers displaying small petal landscapes with homemade stick seats, pebble pathways and disco balls. There was also a variety of Lego creations, but the traditional Agricultural Competition appeared the highlight with judges amazed at the quality, particularly of the Novice section. As always, it was great to see animals happily following their mentors and being guided so accurately around the ring.

Rob Kofoed Ōtaki Foodbank chair receives a big “cheque” for the Foodbank, from Ōtaki’s Tall Poppy’s Brendon Heenan, with Maureen Preston Tall Poppy, Lucy Tahere Foodbank manager, Jayden Matthews Tall Poppy, Sarah Lange Tall Poppy, Kath Blewman Foodbank treasurer and Tall Poppy’s Charlotte Fulford. The groceries on the table are what would go into a general parcel plus meat.

Big boost for local groups

BY FRANK NEILL

Te Horo Country Market

Join other market lovers at Te Horo’s Country Market on Sunday, 2 January, 10.00 am to 1.00 pm at Te Horo Hall.

Plenty of goodies on offer such as honey, olive oil, preserves, natural skin care, arts and crafts (including mosaic mirrors, quilting, driftwood sculptures and bird feeders), linens and knits, and the seasonal surplus stall with fresh, new season veggies and fruit from local home gardens.

Drinks and Nibbles

Te Horo School Ag Night

The monthly community social catch-up is on Friday, 7 January, 5.30pm at Te Horo Hall. BYO plate of finger food to share and something to drink. All welcome.

Ōtaki community organisations have received $164,038.00 from two recent grants distributions.

The Ōtaki Sports Club secured the largest of these grants recieving $120,739 to install flood lights at Haruātai Park.

This grant was one of three made by the New Zealand Community Trust to Ōtaki organisations.

The Ōtaki Golf Club received a $30,000 grant towards a fairway mower, and Raukawa Ki Te Tonga Basketball received $13,299 towards travel and accommodation. Ōtaki organisations also featured among the recent Waste Levy Funds recipients

announced on 29 November. Seven of the 15 grants approved by the Kāpiti Coast District Council Grants Allocation Committee were awarded to Ōtaki groups.

The grants support waste minimisation projects in the community, focusing on community projects, seed funding and business waste reduction.

The Ōtaki recipients are: • Ōtaki Boating Club – $4,650 to establish a fish processing station to redistribute fresh fish heads and frames to the community.

• Ōtaki College – $518.23 to set up a composting system.

• Ōtaki Kindergarten – $263.44 to set up new compost bins and a worm farm.

• Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rito – $3,488.94 to expand the Ōpara initiative.

• Te Puna Oranga o Ōtaki – $700 to set up worm farms at Te Puna Oranga o Ōtaki and at Raukawa Marae.

• Zero Waste Ōtaki – $5,284.25 to buy a 20-foot container cover to create covered yard space at their timber recovery site.

• Te Wānanga o Raukawa – $3,375.39 to rehome excess office furniture via All Heart NZ from their campus redevelopment.

Our Real Estate year in retrospect 2021 was characterized by property price rises, completely against the ‘expectations’ around COVID-19.

2021 has continued this trend, with concessionary interest rates, a successful economy pumped full of cash and liquidity, a strong trend towards ‘working from home’ and a continuing tight listing supply leading to further price rises. Despite the disruptions to building and general logistics, lockdowns and traffic lights, property values have continued to rise, more than 20% across the board, and even

higher gains with the top end properties this year.

We end 2021 with rising interest rates, inflation reaching 5%, building costs increasing, and an increased supply of land and properties available.

Stability at these current price levels is our prediction for 2022, with ‘days to sell’ pushing out to more than 30 days.

We thank all our Customers for their business this year, a very warm welcome to those many

new people who have come into our District, may you all have lots of relaxation and Family time over Christmas and New Year.

Our Office will be closed from 23rd December until the 10th of January 2022. Of course our phones will be active and engaged as we continue our service during that time.

Grant, Jo, and Travis

238 Main Highway Otaki 06 364 8350 GBR Realty Ltd licensed REAA 2008

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Grant Robertson Robertson Grant 021 660 113 grant@fnotaki.co.nz

Otaki First National is the real estate specialist for Otaki, Te Horo, Manakau and surrounds.

Lifestyle or Residential, whether you are buying, selling or renting, you will always be treated as our top priority.

Travis Robertson 022 152 6629 travis@fnotaki.co.nz

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Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

Social Impact Grants 2022 Kāpiti Coast District Council has funding available through its Social Investment programme to assist not-for-profit organisations to establish and implement local initiatives that generate positive impacts for the Kāpiti district.

NOW OPEN

The Social Impact Grants have: • $320,000 available for initiatives in the whole district; and • $50,000 for Ōtaki based initiatives.

Applications for this year’s funding round close at 5pm Wednesday, 23 February 2022.

QUALITY DRIVEN RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL ROOFING SPECIALISTS

The following initiatives may qualify for funding: • implementation of community COVID-19 responsiveness plans • iwi, hapū, community hubs and collaborative impact initiatives • initiatives that support and strengthen social cohesion and generate positive impacts for communities • initiatives that support and promote communities to support emerging issues for the district • seeding and pilot initiatives that address community priorities.

The Social Impact Grants provide one-off funding to Iwi, hapū and community organisations. This is different to the Social Investment Fund, which provides funding for a period of three-years and will open for applications in April.

More information about the Social Impact Grants, eligibility criteria and application forms are available on the Council’s website at kapiticoast.govt.nz/SocialInvestmentor by contacting the team at social.investment@kapiticoast.govt.nz.

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Small is beautiful

BY VIVIENNE BAILEY Persistent spring showers follow Anne Keeble and I as we amble through her rose-covered cottage garden. It has been a giant leap moving from the large, semirural Te Horo property she shared with late partner, Peter Rahr (for seventeen years) to the pocket handkerchief (well, more a napkin size) suburban section on the outskirts of Ōtaki.

Anne has been gardening here for more than three years, and her love of roses defines the garden as much as it did in Te Horo. Densely planted borders are home to dozens of rose varieties including the hybrid musk, Sally Holmes, her enormous, single buff-white blooms and prominent stamens dominating a corner, and the pink-perfect, Aotearoa, whose long shapely buds contain the richest fragrance.

My personal favourite, the small-flowered, sweetly smelling sweetheart rose, Cecile Brunner reaches happily along a fence (though I have found this rose to be a bit of a thug, needing a lot of space, such as climbing up a tree).

“Jacqueline du Pre’ has my heart, I love her,” says Anne when I request her favourite.

The rose has cupped, quite loose blooms carried in clusters and the shrub is vigorous with dark glossy foliage. It is truly a rose with character. Several months before her death from multiple sclerosis, cellist, Jacqeline du Pre chose this rose to bear her name, initial sales supporting the MS Society.

There is also ‘Friesia’ with her flamboyant, double blooms and glorious perfume. Anne has planted the rose near the hybrid tea, ‘Matawhero Magic’ the bronze-orange flowers a perfect foil for the deep yellow. Another with a strong perfume, quite musky, the uprightgrowing plant also performs well as a standard.

Around a corner the popular pink climbing floribunda, ‘Bantry Bay’ and red ‘Dublin Bay’ adorn the fence line, further along is another of Anne’s favourites, ‘Hamilton Gardens.’ covered in an appealing mix of apricot, pink and cream.

This is a perfect haven for a rose lover, with not a deadhead in sight. It is a soothing pastime, beheading spent roses.

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Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

By Ann Chapman

Being COVID Smart During the Holidays Vaccinate to protect yourselves, your whanau and your community. COVID Delta is on the move and popping up in areas not far from here.

Being Sun Smart During the Holidays We hope for long sunny days at the beach and maybe it’ll come in time for us to enjoy over the Christmas break.

As usual the Ministry of Health is reminding us to ‘Slip, Slop and Slap’.

Slip on some clothing, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat and keep to the shade. Protect the kids from sunburn. It’s painful and can do residual damage to the skin. And don’t forget to protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses when out and about.

Laughter Yoga

BY ANN CHAPMAN Whenever I’ve attempted yoga, I’ve always had to suppress a giggle at the seemingly impossible positions that are sometimes called for. I’ve had to close my eyes at the sight of others in the group who may experience the same difficulty as me, the same inability to focus on calmness, lest I burst out laughing.

So, to find that there is a concept of laughter yoga was a relief. It is apparently a popular movement and breathing exercise worldwide and there is a practitioner here in Ōtaki.

Laughter yoga started in Mumbai in 1995

by Dr Kataria, with the mission of Health, Happiness and World Peace. It aims to relieve stress by using a series of movement and breathing exercises to promote

COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccines and Booster Shots Standard vaccination centres will still be operating over this holiday period. We are encouraging those who are still not fully vaccinated to please do so – it’s not just for your own personal health but for your whānau’s too.

Booster shots are now being introduced across Aotearoa.

Everyone aged 18 years and over will be eligible if it has been six months since your second vaccine dose. At present, healthcare and boarder workers are receiving their vaccine boosters.

To book please visit BookMyVaccine.nz

deliberate laughter. And laughter is contagious. Advocates swear by it, but does it really work? Does it, as it claims, relieve stress, and reduce symptoms of chronic disease such as asthma, ME, arthritis?

Dr. Kataria says that laughter yoga will help lift your mood, reduce stress, strengthen your immune system, increase energy levels, improve your quality of life, and help you better manage hardship.

He uses it as a remedy for physical, psychological, and spiritual ailments, and believes that intentional (simulated) laughter can provide benefits equal to those of spontaneous laughter. Along with this, laughter yoga is believed to help you better manage stress through controlled breathing. This allows for greater uptake of oxygen, which activates the parasympathetic nervous system, your body’s natural relaxation system. Various movement and breathing exercises to

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MidCentral DHB is currently working with other agencies to ensure people will be supported if there is a need to self-isolate.

Everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 and everyone who lives with them will need to isolate to help stop the spread of the virus.

There are two ways to self-isolate – at home, (under some circumstances this may mean a suitable alternative accommodation), or in a managed isolation facility.

Being Vaccine Smart During the Holidays

Old School Beauty & Electrolysis • • • • • • •

Wear masks.

Wash or sanitise your hands.

Keep your distance.

And scan whenever you can. People are moving about over the holidays.

The Ministry and our DHB advise to develop a plan even while hoping for the best. This is what they advise: ‘If someone in your circle catches COVID-19, what does that look like for you and your whānau? Have a talk to them today about the steps you’ll take for pandemic planning to promote safety, health and well-being in your bubble.’

www.oldschoolbeauty.co.nz

AstraZeneca The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is now available for anyone aged 18 years and older who either wants a different option or cannot get the Pfizer vaccine.

Both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines will protect you against the symptoms of COVID-19.

Both vaccinations are free.

AstraZeneca is only available at certain vaccination centres. If it is available at a centre near you, this option will be available when you book online. If you are unable to book online you can call the Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 (8am to 8pm, 7days a week).

promote intentional laughter are used as a remedy for physical, psychological, and spiritual ailments. Laughing releases endorphins and “happy” hormones like dopamine and serotonin.

Laughter yoga is growing in popularity as a fun way to laugh and take yourself less seriously. All in all, laughter yoga is a great way to let loose, have fun, and learn

Lucy Feltham Physiotherapist General physiotherapy no ACC surcharge direct referral for ACC & private consultations shoulder courses manual & sports physio post-op rehab hand therapy 16 Dunstan Street Ōtaki feltham@xtra.co.nz ph / fax 06 364 7027 9am - 6pm Monday-Friday

the joy of laughing again. There are over 20,000 laughter clubs in the world, all of them free. They are inclusive of everyone regardless of health status and age. It is a great equaliser and leaves you feeling invigorated, balanced and relaxed because of the amount of oxygen introduced your lungs by 20 minutes of constant laughter.

Judith Croner-Small of Taurima is Ōtaki’s laughter ambassador. Although her classes had to stop during COVID, she plans to start again in 2022. “The benefits are life changing,” she says. “It lifts the mood.

You tend to get well quicker after an illness, flus and colds are minimised as it supports the immune system.”

She invites you to check it out on the facebook page : laughter yoga lower north island or on www.laughteryoga.org.

Or you could simply get in touch with her at fabrosarios@hotmail.com

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Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

What’s On Meri Kirihimete

from us all at the Ōtaki Mail Please note COVID lockdown changes may influence opening hours Ōtaki Races Ōtaki Racecourse Jan 5th and 13th

Regular Events Ōtaki Sports Club Social Tennis every Friday from 9–11am followed by a cuppa at the Haruatai Park courts. Ōtaki Women’s Community Club Market.

SH1 every Sunday 9–3 Waitohu Dune Care Group Mondays, north Ōtaki Beach 9–11 Te Horo Market Te Horo Hall, first Sunday of the month. 10am–12.30 Ōtaki Library Books and Bickies 2nd Friday of the month 10.30–11.30 Kāpiti Horowhenua Enterprising at 50 Plus Network. Paraparaumu Library. 6.30 last Monday of every month. AngelaandBillR@outlook.co.nz Ōtaki Arthritis Support Group. First Thursday each month (except January). Ōtaki Anglican Church, McWilliam’s Lounge. 3.45pm–5pm. info@arthritis.org.nz Ōtaki Stroke Support Group First Thursday 10am Ōtaki Presbyterian Church Mill Rd. Ōtaki Benefit Advocacy Ōtaki Library, last Tuesday of the month 10am–12pm and 1pm–3pm

Rotary honours decades of community service

BY LLOYD CHAPMAN At their end of year meeting Ōtaki Rotary presented Paul Harris Fellowships to Rod Graham and Ann Chapman, to commemorate decades of service to the community.

Rod, foundation member of the Ōtaki Pottery Club served as their president for 22 years. He is heavily involved in Cobwebs Community Trust, who have an op-shop in Main street.

Ann Chapman, for 18 years represented Ōtaki on Kapiti Coast District Council, 9 years as deputy mayor. She represented Ōtaki on MidCentral District Health Board for 19 years, and had two terms as a trustee of Electra.

Rotary International created the Fellowship to honour the man who founded Rotary in 1905. It is awarded to individuals who have ‘given exceptional service to the community’.

Previous recipients include Jimmy Carter, Boris Yeltsin, astronaut James Lovell and polio vaccine hero Jonas Salk. Rod and Ann are in rather good company. Ōtaki Rotary is a Service Club, very active in the community, especially with projects involving young people.

During the year, the Rotary Hall in Aotaki Street was sold and the funds invested. This means the Club is in a strong financial position, and able to help where needed in the Ōtaki District.

Projects such as Duffy Books in Schools and giving Picture Dictionaries to every year four pupil in the five Ōtaki Primary Schools are promoted every year. And yes, the kids love them instead of their screens.

Other projects include RYPEN, a program promoting leadership qualities and INTERACT, a service club for young people, who this year supplied two wheelchairs to Tanzania.

Cobwebs Community Trust and the Food Bank are two other charities assisted by Rotary.

In the educational field the Douglas Walker Memorial Trust is managed and supported by Ōtaki Rotary by assisting worthy tertiary students with funding.

On the serious side, youth suicide is being tackled by the

Lifting the Lid program involving Rotary and seven schools.

The Club is very active, and will continue being a real force in the community. Come along and be a part of it, says Graham Carthew. For more information you can contact him at ngawaifarm@xtra.co.nz

A delighted Rod Graham, with Jocelyn Hogg and Rotary sponsor Rex Kerr.

Rotary sponsor Graham Carthew with Ann Chapman and Rotary Area Governor Jocelyn Hogg.

KIA HIWA RĀ!

Māori Economic Development Fund Applications for Council’s Māori Economic Development Fund will open on 17 January 2022. $65,000 will be available for projects that align with the Māori Economic Development Strategy.

The fund assists whānau, hapū, iwi, mātāwaka and Māori in Kāpiti with the ongoing costs of developing Māori business.

Applications open Monday, 17 January 2022 and close Friday, 18 February 2022.

This is a contestable fund. Amounts awarded will be based on the strength of each application’s alignment to the strategy.

Information sessions will be held in Ōtaki, Waikanae, Paraparaumu and Paekākāriki in late January. Space is limited, get in touch now to book your place.

For further information contact: Iwi Partnerships Team Programme Advisor Kāpiti Coast District Council Ph: 04 296 4700 or 0800 486 486 Email: kapiti.council@kapiticoast.govt.nz

Download the strategy and application form at www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/maori-ed-grant

kapiti.council@kapiticoast.govt.nz

0800 486 486 | www.kapiticoast.govt.nz

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Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

Ordination Day

BY MARGARET ANDREWS

From many different backgrounds, lifestyles, reasons and beliefs, people choose to take up ministry in its many faiths and ways: and in the Anglican Church Ordination Day to the priesthood is one of the important days in the church’s year. Ōtaki’s Anglican parish hosted the ordination to priesthood of All Saints Reverend Jessica Falconer and Rev Hannah Rowan from the Rongotea Parish on Friday November 19 with many of their family members and

friends, as well as the clergy from around the diocese who came to support them.

The formal part of the service began with the procession into Hadfield Hall of all the clergy dressed in their robes, answering the karanga from members of Rangiatea Church; the deacons, followed by the priests, then the candidates with their parish minister and Wellington’s bishops, Bishop Justin Duckworth and Bishop Eleanor Sanderson. Jessica and Hannah were both ordained deacons last year,

L: Rev Simon Falconer and Rev Jessica Falconer in the procession into the ordination service. R: Bishop Eleanor Sanderson and Bishop Justin Duckworth pray over candidate Hannah Rowan, supported by the other ministers present, a step towards her being priested.

the first step to priesthood, with more learning and training – leading services, presenting sermons, working with people within the church and beyond, leading to their ordination day.

Ordination day is usually held in Wellington’s St Paul’s Cathedral, but with the COVID-19 regulations and the huge 1000 or more people in the cathedral, the ordinations were moved out to the parishes around the Wellington Diocese, which stretches from Taihape in the north down to Wanganui and Tararua, the Wairarapa to Wellington, ordaining two or more candidates to priesthood and deacons at each service. This made for a smaller, more intimate service than the cathedral’s vast hallowed expanse.

Hannah Rowan and Jessica Falconer lead the communion part of the service, bringing the ordination service to a close.

Jessica and her husband, Reverend Simon Falconer have been the coministers of the Ōtaki parish for three

years, along with their two sons, Sam and Eli, and Griffin and Padfoot the dogs.

They have been very involved in our town, helping set up some new outreach programmes with other churches and some new ones at All Saints.

The Ōtaki parish seems to have made a huge impression on Bishop Justin, he first came to Ōtaki about five years ago.

This year he has been three times to All Saints: he came to the Waitangi Day celebrations with Rangiatea Church, giving the sermon at the service in Rangiatea, later he attended the Treaty of Waitangi panel discussion held in All Saints. In May he conducted the ordination to vocational deacon of Ōtaki’s Colette Stevens in Hadfield Hall, the first time a person had been ordained other than in the cathedral and now two new priests ordained, again in Hadfield Hall, to meet COVID-19 restrictions.

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9

Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

ABC – Authors Book Corner Lloyd Chapman: The Barbiers and their Roses

BY VIVIENNE BAILEY Roses with a capital R have been rosarian, Lloyd Chapman’s life for more than thirty years, but it was the exquisite form of old roses produced by the Barbier family of Orleans, France that ultimately delighted and captured his heart. His just-released book, The Barbiers and their Roses reveals his love and passion, enthusiasm and immense knowledge of the heritage plants.

Detailing the production of more than 60 roses (from 1900 to 1930) by Albert Barbier and his family, The Barbiers and their Roses is not a ‘once over lightly’ coffee table publication but a serious, important reference work for passionate old rose lovers and gardeners. The book is charmingly illustrated, possibly even enticing an amateur to grow Barbier roses (which are outside the common run). It contains still life portraits (photographs) set in context, useful cultivation notes, often drawn from the writer’s own experience and dedication, and clear descriptions of colour and form along with fascinating historical detail (not only derived from comprehensive research but gleaned from Lloyd’s many visits to rose nurseries world-wide, particularly Orleans, the traditional home of heritage roses).

In assessing Barbier’s work Lloyd utilizes the useful star ranking system of rosarian, Jack Harkness (adjacent to each rose).

Although Lloyd is known and recognized internationally for his love, exploration and knowledge of Barbier roses (collecting all the plants produced by the Barbier family), he was a late starter in his career as a rose nurseryman, defying convention and successfully growing roses on their own roots in a no-spray regime, primarily at Trinity Farm, the four-acre property he shared with wife, Ann (his many years at the farm are recorded in The Barbiers and their Roses not only in text but in several evocative photographs).

Lloyd has combined his obsession with these heritage roses with a meticulously investigated, easy-to-read compilation. The Barbiers and their Roses will be welcomed by the many people who share the writer’s passion and enthusiasm for the qualities (and magic) of the Barbier roses. It joins his earlier publication, In a Strange Garden: The Life and Times of Truby King (2004).

Available from Books and Co, State Highway One, Ōtaki www.booksandco.nz and https://annchapmanbooks.co.nz

Lloyd Chapman

Ann and Lloyd Chapman at their collective launch of their latest individual published books.

Ann Chapman: The Push

BY VIVIENNE BAILEY Ōtaki author, Ann Chapman introduces readers to Sarah, a headstrong, film making journalist (and crime sleuth) in her latest novel, The Push, sequel to A Kind of Catharsis (2020).

The city of Invercargill again provides a suitably bleak and desolate background (reminiscent of how UK mystery/crime writer, Ann Cleeves uses the isolated Shetland Islands) as we follow Sarah, later joined and befriended by policewoman, Barbara, into the city’s evil underbelly of drug smuggling, gangs and organized crime.

There are complex layers of plot for the reader to unravel. From the first cocaine smuggling scene in Bluff cemetery, we weave through police corruption and vice (can police officers involved with murder and mayhem use their inside knowledge to

Books & Co Christmas shopping is in full swing and we have plenty of options for your present buying.

Garden books are in hot demand.

These include local garden guru Kath Irvine’s The Edible Backyard and Lynda Halinan’s,The Joy of Gardening.

Cook books are always popular from NZ’s Lucy Corry’s Homecooked, to Christchurch’s Two Raw Sisters latest, Salad.

For children, the latest Treehouse book, (143 storeys!), David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny Strikes Again, A Boy called Christmas (Matt Haig), Wolf Girl series (#6 just out), Wings of Fire series, and beautiful hardback gift books. Plus our lovely range of special Christmas books to read with your little people.

Space and Dinosaurs are always popular and there’s a big selection of these as well as other books for the young and curious.

We helped launch new books by Ann Chapman and Lloyd Chapman at the bookshop in early December. Lloyd’s The Berbiers and their Roses and Ann’s crime novel The Push would make great gifts along with other books by local authors, of which there are many!

get away with a perfect crime?), to canny procedural detail, connections and coincidences, the writer exposing the southern city as a veritable crime capital, in much the same way as Scottish crime author, Ian Rankin portrays the city of Edinburgh in his Inspector John Rebus mysteries.

Gang members, sinister thugs, menacing characters, together with the more endearing Ben (but is he what he seems?) reappear from A Kind of Catharsis, but the writer has provided sufficient back story for the novel to be read alone.

Thankfully, as in A Kind of Catharsis, plenty of cheese rolls are on the menu, and there’s a glass or two of Bannockburn Riesling, quirky touches anchoring The Push firmly in a New Zealand setting. A tattoo or two, the appearance of a red and

black patched Mongrel Mob member or a flash of blue and black of rival gang, Black Power (both significant players in New Zealand’s illicit drug scene) would have grounded it further.

The Push packs plenty of revelation, action and suspense in its plausible plot as we follow the intrepid Sarah and Barbara, the villainous gang (and the infighting to be ‘top dog’) through to a believable conclusion and resolution – although a loose end or two never hurt a good crime yarn (just ask Raymond Chandler).

Nonetheless for those who enjoyed A Kind of Catharsis this sequel will not disappoint.

Available at www.amazon.com https://annchapmanbooks.co.nz and Books & Co, State Highway One, Ōtaki.

Handing over the first box of books to Abigail from Women’s Refuge, for Kiwi Christmas Books.

We have the latest NZ and international latest releases, so come and browse. We are always very happy to help with gift choosing. And don’t forget our range of 2022 calendars and diaries, notebooks and journals.

Thankyou for your wonderful donations to Kiwi Christmas Books, which are going directly to our local Women’s Refuges. We have been delighted with the response – and hope to have upwards of 60 new books for children (and a few for their mums) by Christmas.

A huge thank you to all our customers for your wonderful support for our bookshop. We love being part of the Ōtaki community and wish you all a happy and safe Christmas with plenty of holiday reading!

Jacqui and team, Books & Co

10

Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

SH1 Safety Improvements The horrific collision on Tuesday 9 November at Kuku, halfway between Ōtaki and Levin, in which all four occupants of a northbound van died and a truck driver was seriously injured, appears to have prompted NZTA to bring forward some improvements on that part of SH1.

The crash occurred on the apex of the bend around St Stephen’s Church, equidistant between northbound and southbound overtaking lanes which are being removed, reducing the main road to one lane each way from south of Manakau all the way to Levin.

Beginning at the start of December, work on the improvements included resurfacing the road, repainting line markings to eliminate the passing lanes and new signage.

“The new road layout will include wide painted centrelines which provide more separation between vehicles, and wider road shoulders,” said NZTA’s Director of Regional Relationships, Linda Stewart.

“Flexible marker posts known as ‘safe hit’ posts will be added to the centreline in some areas.

“The work will mean some disruption to road users, with some of the work to be carried out overnight,” she said. The work was expected to be finished before Christmas.

The transport agency’s review of speed limits on SH1 between Ōtaki and Levin continues. According to the latest update “the next step will be sharing proposed new speeds as part of a formal consultation. These proposed speeds are currently being developed using our technical assessment and feedback from this engagement stage.”

Meanwhile, work on other improvements to SH1 will not begin until some time in 2022. They are expected to include the intersection between SH1 and Waikawa Beach Rd. NZTA agreed with the feedback it received about this intersection, particularly regarding the difficulty of making a right turn out of Waikawa Beach Road into SH1, and is proposing several improvements including widening the painted central median area so drivers are more comfortable turning into, and waiting to merge, in this area.

The Bee Column – The Sting in the Tail

BY PENNY KERR-HISLOP

With summer comes flowers. With flowers come bees. With bees come stings. When we were kids our jam sandwiches came with wasps. These days most sweet things seem to come with wasps. However, most insects sting defensively. They do not have a premeditated plan to cause hurt. They will sting if provoked or feel threatened or in the case of the jam sandwiches, eaten.

Bees have only one stinging barb that is left in the skin following the incident.

The venom sac is attached to the barb and continues to inject venom until it is empty. For this reason, the barb should be removed as soon as possible. How the barb is removed is not important. The beekeeper usually scrapes at the protruding sting sac with his hive tool.

Usually, he is swearing a bit as well which probably doesn’t help.

Wasps and bumblebees do not leave a detached barb in the skin but are able to inflict multiple stings, thus increasing the amount of venom injected. In all stings there is the danger that apart from the pain, stings around the mouth, throat or face can swell and cause airway obstruction.

Left: Barbed bee stinger. Courtesy www. dave-cushman.net/bee/stingstructure. html. Right: Wasp sting. Courtesy www. terminix.com/

What you can do to help in case of a bee sting.

1. Remove the barb If stung by a bee, immediately brush, pluck or scrape the barb off the skin to stop any more venom being injected.

2. Apply cold treatment Immediately apply a wrapped ice pack and leave it in place for up to 10 minutes.

Reapply the ice pack at frequent intervals or whenever pain relief is needed.

3. Observe Observe the patient closely for any change in condition. If any of the warning signs of an allergic reaction appear, send for an ambulance urgently. The warning signs include:

• a fine rash over the torso • wheezing or coughing • swelling around the face, eyes and neck If the patient is known to be allergic to bee venom – call 111 for an ambulance and assist the patient with any prescribed treatment.

What you can do to help in case of a wasp or bumblebee sting

Follow the same icing and observation procedure as for a honey bee. Usually, a bumblebee sting leads to a non-allergic, local reaction: swelling, itchiness and redness at the site of the sting, lasting for only a couple of hours. This can occur directly after the sting, but more generally it starts after some hours. The swelling or itching may last for hours or even days.

In some cases, the local reaction may spread somewhat; in this case it usually takes longer for the symptoms to disappear. This still counts as a local, non-allergic reaction. Wasp stings are similar and can often be multiple especially if a nest has been disturbed.

Allergic reactions

In about 1% of the population, repeated stings (or in some cases only two or three stings) may lead to an allergic reaction, also called a general allergic reaction, a systemic allergic reaction, or an anaphylactic reaction. Because an allergic reaction involves antibodies formed during a previous exposure to an antigen, it is not possible to have an allergic reaction after the first sting. Allergic reactions usually become evident very soon after the sting (from a few seconds to half an hour after the sting).

Prevention

To avoid bee and wasp stings: • stay well away from hives, particularly directly in front of the hive entrance.

• call an exterminator if you see any wasp nests around your home.

• take care when eating food outdoors, especially sugary drinks and fish sandwiches, which can attract bees and wasps.

• bees and wasps also like brightcoloured or dark clothing, and perfumes. If you’re hiking in bush and forest areas wear hats, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and light colours.

This information was taken from the Ministry of Health and St Johns websites.

Zero Waste Ōtaki Update

BY JAMIE BULL

Momentum is building with sorting the timber piles and storage at our site. The “Thursday boys” have been building storage facilities with pallets primarily from a wonderful load from Concrete Doctors, as well as private drop offs.

As a result, we are hoping it wont be too long before it will be relatively straightforward to find the wood or item you are looking for, although with a constant supply of drop offs, “catch up” seems a long way off yet.

Our free pile is operational again and usually contains wood with nails, tanalised, painted or odd shaped.. Some real treasure in there, so worth a look.

Jane has collected the donated Resene Paint and painting bees will be held in the New Year, to paint the newest 40ft container. Do get in touch if you would be willing to wield a paint brush at any stage. Or offer another pair of hands to sort and move timber.

And just a word on Health and Safety as the site is getting increasing traffic. Please remember when you come to drop off or browse to wear sensible shoes. There are hazards on site – especially wood with nails – so jandals are not suitable regardless of the weather. And children and dogs must stay in the car.

We will continue to be open every Wednesday during the summer, and on Wednesday 29, 2021 we will be open from 9.30–12 noon. Our next Sunday opening is Sunday January 30 which will be a celebration of one year since we were officially launched. And check out our Facebook page for the implementation of summer hours being introduced in 2022.

And finally the Zero Waste Ōtaki team of volunteers wish you and yours the very best for the Festive Season.

Keep up to date with our activities via our Facebook page or email zerowaste.otaki@gmail.com to go on our mailing list.

KĀPITI COAST DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETINGS IN JANUARY 2022 Thursday

27 January

Council meeting

9.30am

Council Chambers, 175 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu

Attendance at Meetings (1) Cancellation – Meetings are sometimes cancelled for a variety of reasons. To confirm whether a meeting is on, please ring the Democracy Services Manager on (04) 296 4700 or toll free on 0800 486 486.

(2) Venue – Please note that all meetings will be held in the Council Chambers, Civic Administration Building, 175 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu, unless otherwise specified.

(3) Public Forum – a 25-minute session will be held before every Council and major committee meeting (9.00 am – 9.25 am) in which you can speak on any topic. Bookings are essential. Please book ahead with the Democracy Services Advisor – online booking form can be found on website.

(4) Public Speaking Time – Under Council’s Standing Orders (Appendix I) a period will be provided after the start of each meeting for Public Speaking Time to allow for oral submissions relating to agenda items, and at the end of meeting for other items not on the agenda. If you wish to address the Council or its Committees during Public Speaking Time, please book ahead with the Democracy Services Advisor and you will be given an approximate timeslot. People who book ahead for Public Speaking will be given precedence over those who do not.

(5) Live-streaming: Council and Standing Committee meetings are live-streamed.

(6) Agendas are available two days before the meeting at: • Our website www.kapiticoast.govt.nz; • Council’s Libraries and Service Centres.

Wayne Maxwell Chief Executive

PB 60601 Paraparaumu | Ph 04 296 4700 | Fx 04 296 4830 | www.kapiticoast.govt.nz

11

Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

The Rongoā Space

BY JOANNE HAKARAIA

We support the community with knowledge and tools to protect the mana of our natural resources and the mauri of the whenua.

We support the well-being of wāhine and their whanau through the traditional healing practices of Rongoā Māori.

One of my favourite rongoā is Kopakopa (Plantago major) and right now these little plants are in abundance in your backyard.

Traditionally, it was used by Māori to soothe insect bites and superficial wounds and prevent infections and accelerate healing. My dad would use this rongoā on his rugby injuries. Mum would pick the leaves and apply them to his wounds as a spit poultice, bandage it and leave it on

Kopakopa Chippies

overnight. The next morning the wound would be clean. A fresh poultice would be applied to seal the wound. Wounds treated with kopakopa, especially spit poultices, heal incredibly fast. It has wide-ranging antimicrobial properties and because of this, a gargle of kopakopa tea may help to soothe a sore throat.

As a wairākau or a tea, it was taken internally to dry up excess secretions in the respiratory tract and the digestive system, thus being very beneficial in treating colds. It’s a soothing rongoā and helped with inflammation in the body.

The edible leaves of kopakopa are rich in calcium and other minerals and vitamins, including Vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential in aiding the body’s process of blood clotting, which helps the body heal wounds and bruises.

Kopakopa is in great supply and grows direct from Papatūānuku without interference. It’s a powerful source of minerals and nutrients. Have it in salads and smoothies or try this yummy Kopakopa Chippie Recipe.

24 large leaves of kopakopa (Plantago major makes a good chip) 2 teaspoons olive oil 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon seasoning of your choice (I use a Moroccan spice or a garlic powder) 1. Preheat oven to 150 degrees Celsius.

2. Wash the kopakopa leaves and dry them well.

3. In a large bowl, toss the leaves with the oil until coated.

4. Spread the leaves in a single later on a baking tray.

5. Sprinkle the leaves with the salt and seasoning.

6. Bake for about 10 minutes or until crisp.

Enjoy!

Rangatahi Potential 2021 has been a busy year for Māoriland with accolades coming from across New Zealand and the World for our rangatahi filmmakers and digital creatives.

The rangatahi filmmaker leadership group are celebrating the wrap of the final film of eight short films completed this year as part of their Ngā Pakiaka Incubator programme where their films were made with professional crews.

Around lockdowns, two films were shot in Auckland, two on the East Cape, two in Northland and two in Ōtaki.

The last of these films was Ruarangi shot in December and written and directed by 18 year old Oriwa Hakaraia. Each of the NPIP films had their challenges, the least of all being that they were self-funded by Māoriland with some support from the NZ Film Commission and the Sundance Film Institute. However Oriwa’s film proved especially challenging as it was mainly set on a tall ship in the 1830’s.

Not being able to find a tall-ship the Māoriland team found everything they needed to recreate a tall ship in Ōtaki.

Film “set painter” and artist extraordinaire Niki Matilda created the interior at her home, the former Masonic Lodge. Many Ōtaki locals pitched in with props including live chickens!

“All of the NPIP films are unique stories beautifully captured by professional directors of photography and crews across Aotearoa. The films are extraordinary accomplishments by our young filmmakers and we have no doubt they will capture the attention of the film industry when we premiere them at the 9th Māoriland Film Festival in March 16–20 2022” said Libby Hakaraia.

The international film world is already taking more than an interest in what is happening out of Māoriland initiatives with Oriwa Hakaraia asked to give a keynote address on Rangatahi Filmmaking at the imagineNATIVE film

festival in Toronto in October and then asked to be a jury member for the New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF). At the auspicious occasion, Oriwa was acknowledged by NZIFF Director Marten Rabarts for her outstanding presence in the Indigenous film industry.

This month Māoriland also was successful with pitches to NZ on Air with two drama series written by Ngā Pakiaka member Te Waiarangi Ratana and by Ōtaki based Isaac Te Reina and Rupene Butler and being produced by Māoriland received development funding. An extraordinary achievement in a highly contested funding round.

For the Māoriland Tech Creative Hub MATCH, there have also been some big achievements including animator Rautini O’Brien receiving NZOA funding for her 10 part animation series Ngā Kōtiro o Taranaki. Other MATCH graduates have full time employment with production companies or creating projects for clients across New Zealand.

The final MATCH course for 2021 has now wrapped with the graduation of tauira who are now working full time on an animated series of classic stories in te reo Māori. Other MATCH graduates (32 went through the 18 week programme over the past 12 months) are also busy on projects including working as both 2D and 3D animators.

At Māoriland our rangatahi are our strength. We celebrate their achievements and all who support them to realise their potential.

In this challenge laid down by Sir James Henare we look forward to an exciting 2022.

Maha rawa wa tatou mahinga te kore mahi tonu, tawhiti rawa to tatou haerenga te kore haere tonu. (We have done too much to not do more, we have come too far to not go further).

Down on the farm

BY SHELLY WARWICK

SUMMER HOLIDAYS

021 949 214 shellybeannz177@ gmail.com

Sunny days, summer holidays and Santa are right around the corner.

You may well be going on a well deserved holiday with family and friends, but don’t forget the ones left behind. If you are away for any length of time make sure your animals have access to more than one water source.

I always open up a couple of paddocks so that if there was to be a problem with one trough while I am not home, my animals will have access to another water source. It is also good to just let your neighbours know you are away so they can run their eyes over your stock every couple of days and make sure everything is OK. One problem if summer is hot and muggy is Facial Eczema which is a disease of cattle, sheep, deer, goats, llamas and alpacas. It is caused when animals ingest a fungus from the base of the pasture that can be present in warm, damp conditions.

When spores are ingested they release toxins which cause damage to the bile system of the liver leading to poor health, low production and potentially death. Secondary effects of this are the visible symptoms of severe and painful inflammation of unpigmented areas of exposed skin such as the udder, teats, ears and face. Only about 5% of animals show visible signs.

It is good to keep tabs on regional spore counts which you can get online or from treatment providers like Farmlands or Vets on Riverbank. Farmlands stock preventative pasture treatments (antifungals) and also preventative

Zinc treatments for individual dosing as a Zinc bolus or in water troughs.

Beware of adding Zinc to water troughs though if they are shared by horses as Zinc can be toxic to horses.

Here’s hoping you all have a very Merry Christmas and a safe holiday period surrounded by the people and animals that you love.

12

Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

Gardening with Garden tasks for January Flower garden

Watson’s Garden Ltd Produce – Tomato baskets and

pots, delicious with our Eggplants, Capsicums and Avocados. Veges, herbs and salad greens too.

Flowering – Hydrangeas are blooming beautiful! We have multiple varieties including Rose Supreme, Bodensee, Le Cygne, Blaumeise, Matilda Grace.

Shop – The Christmas

season is upon us.

Browse Watson’s Christmas shop, from gardening to giftware there’s something for everyone!

Gift vouchers, giftware, tools, pots, garden and pest products available all year round

Mulch shrub beds with any suitable material, even newspaper will work effectively, to conserve soil moisture. This is the time that plants can become waterstressed, so make sure you’re watering regularly as well.

Prune roses lightly after flowering – you may need to spray at regular intervals to prevent black spot, powdery mildew and insect pests – also remove any fallen leaves from the soil, as they will contaminate your plant.

Continue feeding to help growth, and cut back spent flower heads to encourage extra flowering.

Use Saturaid when planting flower seedlings to ensure the moisture you’re giving plants will be well used.

Seeds of dahlias sown now will grow quickly and form small tubers, ready for next season’s flowering.

Many seeds (such as stock, wallflower, and Iceland poppies) if sown now will germinate and grow rapidly so that they become established before winter, and are ready for an early burst in spring.

Also sow alyssum, cyclamen, linaria, sweet pea, viola, pansy, primula, ageratum, lupin, mignonette and Opium poppy.

Plant out seedlings of aster, cosmos, petunia, zinnia, viscaria, gerbera, celosia, nasturtium, phlox, rudbeckia, salpiglossia and sunflower.

Fruit and vegetable garden

Feed tomatoes weekly with a fast-acting liquid feed, and pinch out the side laterals. Make sure they are firmly staked.

Lettuce, radishes and other quick-maturing salad crops can be planted at two-weekly intervals to provide a continuous supply. It is better to sow just ten or twelve seeds each time at two-weekly intervals rather than sowing all at once.

Harvest those courgettes as soon as they’re ready – they grow into marrows very quickly.

Sow seeds of beetroot, bean, broccoli, leek, parsnip, swede, marrow, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower.

Plant out seedlings of beetroot, cucumber, silverbeet, carrot, celery, parsnip, cabbage and cauliflower.

Remove any fruit that has fallen to the ground – this will help keep bugs at bay.

Keep your citrus well watered, important for the production of healthy fruit later, and spray with a copper-based spray to prevent fungus from deforming and limiting the crop.

Lawns

Continue mowing grass weekly or more often when it is growing rapidly. Keep mower up for summer season to aid in moisture conservation and help keep your lawn greener.

Second thoughts

January is a good time to start planting into pots for winter colour. Ivy, pansies, polyanthus, sweet William and violas planted now will look most effective come late winter or early spring.

Monday–Saturday 9am–5pm, closed Sundays and public holidays.

17 Bell Street Ōtaki (06) 364 8758 www.watsonsgarden.co.nz

Christmas charm in a pot New delivery of

POTS

Just in time for Christmas

Te Horo Garden Centre

Main Highway & Te Horo Beach Rd Te Horo Ph

364 2142

We have some treasures for you – CAFE NOW OPEN!!

A native of Mexico and Central America, poinsettias, Euphorbia pulcherrima, widely known as Crown of the Andes, are one of our most popular potted plants. Their bright red blooms appear over Christmas and the summer holiday period, making this brilliantly-coloured, subtropical plant forever synonymous with the festive season. They’ll bring a splash of colour to your home décor long after the excitement of Santa has passed (newer cultivars are longer lasting in contrast to many available a few years ago).

Poinsettias belong to the Euphorbiacaea group and like other members of the family, the plant exudes a milky sap when stems are cut or damaged – it is best to avoid skin contact as the sap can cause irritation in some.

Many varieties of poinsettias are available, with variegated foliage and bloom ranging from creamy-white to lemon, cream, pink and peach. However, what appear to be the plant’s petals are actually a bunch of upper leaves (bracts). The flowers are small, green or yellow and grow inconspicuously in the centre of each leaf bunch.

Although an indoor plant they can be planted outdoors in a warm, frost-free spot but will need a loving touch – light, warmth and water, but not too much of the latter.

As indoor plants they need exposure to morning sun and shade during the hotter part of the day.

Once the first blooming period of your potted poinsettia is over, it should be transplanted into a bigger pot (plants tend to be sold in small pots), and after repotting will need plenty of rest to get used to its new soil. Place in a warm, bright spot, but not directly in the sun (give just enough water so as not to dry out and fertilise six to nine weeks after repotting). Your plant probably won’t need repotting again for two to three years.

If you decide to transplant outside you’ll need to do a bit of preparation (choose a location in full sun for most of the day but no light at night – avoid areas illuminated by street lights). Keep your plant inside during the winter months, water sparingly and don’t fertilise during this time. When the weather warms up, cut off any faded leaves, leaving behind the spiky stems. Place your potted poinsettia outdoors for two to three weeks to allow plant to acclimatise to both light and temperature.

Dig a hole in your garden bed that allows the poinsettia to sit at the same level as it did in the pot, place plant in the hole and firm soil around base. Apply a two inch thick layer of mulch around the base to help it retain water.

Water thoroughly and fertilise regularly – monthly is ideal.

13

Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

the Ō taki Mail

BY VIVIENNE BAILEY viv.bailey@xtra.co.nz

Focus on growing radishes Small and peppery or big and gentle, there is more to radishes than those little red or white salad additions we give our children to grow (because they’re so quick and easy).

Radishes are an old vegetable – so old they were included in rations for workers building the great pyramids in Ancient Egypt, and are a good, low kilojoule source of vitamin C and potassium.

The traditional red and white salad radishes grow well in spring and autumn, or during mild winters, but not so well in hot and dry summers – they need sun and adequate moisture to ensure steady growth.

They’re not fussy about soil, but prefer a well worked, friable one with reasonable fertility and good drainage.

Pests and diseases are usually of little consequence, but they can develop rot and wilt problems in heavy soil.

This can happen if weather is particularly warm or humid, or there is excess rain (or perhaps you overwater).

The secret of success is to grow them quickly and eat them while they are still very young – much like the French, who eat their ultra-young radishes with a little unsalted butter and crusty bread.

European radishes are among the fastest vegetable seeds to germinate. Sprinkle directly along a row of wellprepared soil and keep well-watered. Within three to seven days the first leaves will appear and four weeks later you can be pulling radishes for salads (or eating straight away in the garden). Repeat sow every fortnight as they tend to turn tough, dry and stringy if they are

left in the ground too long.

There are many popular classic varieties you can try such as the mild and crisp, ‘Easter Egg’ and the small, round ‘Red Cherry’ F1. One of my favourites, ‘Gentle Giant’, grows a little larger without getting too peppery – fancier radishes include the red and white tipped Yates ‘French Breakfast.’

Black radishes include ‘Round Black Spanish’, a black-skinned, white fleshed, European winter radish, larger and milder than the better known red and white ones. It can be grated into salads but can also be used as a cooked vegetable and in soups and stews.

Asian radishes, often called diakon or mouli, are variations of the same cultivated species as European

radishes, but are different in size, taste and how they are used.

They take twice as long as European radishes to mature – up to two months but hold their crispness and mildness much longer. They can be either a long tapering root, or a shorter round one, much like the smaller European radishes.

‘Supreme Mino’F1 is a summer variety, crisp and juicy in texture, with a mild flavour, and specially suited to growing in warmer weather.

Asian radishes can be pickled, or added to soups, stir fries and casseroles. They are also sweet and crisp enough to use raw, grated into salads with a sweet and sour dressing.

Aotearoa’s own Christmas tree The profusion of nectar-filled, scarlet blossoms of the pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) are a longestablished part of our festive Christmas tradition.

You’ll find their iconic crimson features adorning greeting cards throughout the country – a widely recognised and important symbol for both New Zealanders at home and further afield.

Described variously by pioneers as “Antipodean holly,” and “Settlers’ Christmas Tree,” the pohutukawa was spectacular enough to replace holly as a symbol of regeneration and rebirth. Our first settlers used pohutukawa blossom to decorate their homes at Christmas time and it was they who originally called it the Christmas tree. Of course, it had the added advantage in this hemisphere of perfect timing – flowering just before Christmas and continuing well into January.

Although the tree’s natural coastal habitat extends from North Cape to Poverty Bay on the eastern side of New Zealand, and Urenui on the west, pohutukawa have been found growing inland on the shores of Lake Taupo, and given space and a warm position, these treasures make grand garden trees.

An obvious first choice as a front-line seaside plant where strong, salt-laden winds prevail (pohutukawa is Maori terminology for ‘drenched with spray’), or inland gardens, the tree is amazingly adaptable. It likes a well-drained soil, anything from sandy to heavy clay, and is happy in either sun or light shade (some species are frost tender and will need shelter in cold positions).

Young plants need mulching in autumn and spring until established, and an application of a balanced generalpurpose fertiliser in spring and midsummer.

Pohutukawa generally branch heavily from ground level, but careful staking and pruning can encourage a single trunk with a rounded head (trees can withstand severe pruning if necessary). Old, overgrown pohutukawa will regenerate rapidly if cut back hard in spring.

M. excelsa will, in time, become a large, spreading, dome-like tree but under garden conditions rarely exceeds 10x5m/33x16ft. It can be pruned as hedges, screens or left as a specimen. Varieties include ‘Aurea,’ a sulphur-yellow flowered form with a tidy growth habit and the bonus of blooming at an early age, and ‘Pink Lady,’ a selected cultivar with upright to rounded, smaller growing shape, and neat flower heads of light, carmine-pink.

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Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

Ōtaki cricketers dominate competition

Paula Signal

BY FRANK NEILL

Paula Signal has won a second national bodybuilding competition on the back of her recent win in the NABBA Figure class 50 plus competition five weeks ago.

On Saturday 27 November Paula competed in the figure 50 plus category and came away with another win as ICN New Zealand National 50 plus champion.

“My Bodybuilding journey began back in 2005, where I competed in my very first competition, in the figure category as a Novice athlete,” says Paula.

“To my surprise I won my class and best performance, this was with NABBA (National Amateur bodybuilding Association) in Palmerston North.”

“Since then I’ve competed with a few different federations within New Zealand and have come away with over nineteen wins and a few placing.

“Despite COVID-19 struggles within Aotearoa in the last couples of years, to come away with a win was both mind blowing and great a feeling of accomplishment “What a year and now its time to think about my goals for 2022.

Many thanks to my Body & Soul Gym supporters including Joseph Te Wiata,” says Paula.

The Ōtaki Cricket Club’s top team has continued its outstanding start to the season and remains undefeated in the Horowhenua Kapiti B grade 45-over competition. Ōtaki gained a comfortable victory over Weraroa at Haruātai Park on 20 November, which was the latest round played as rain cancelled proceedings on 4 December.

Batting first, the visitors scored 138 runs, with Inder Singh bowling outstandingly to clean up the Weraroa tail.

Inder, in fact, came as close as a player can to a hat trick when he picked up three wickets from just four deliveries. He finished with the excellent figures of four wickets for eight rungs from his 4.4 overs.

Parminder Singh continued his outstanding bowling this season, snaring two wickets while conceding just 19 runs from his eight overs. Ōtaki comfortably passed Weraroa’s total, needing just 22.2 overs to achieve victory – less than half the 45 overs available.

Hamish McLennan scored 62 from 67 deliveries, hitting two sixes and six fours.

Michael Papps finished not out on 45 runs from just 30 deliveries. As well as providing standout performances, Hamish and Michael shared a match-winning partnership of 61 runs.

Newly promoted to the B grade this season, Ōtaki will now be looking to add this title to the seven successive titles they won in the President’s competition. Ōtaki did not make such a great start to the 20-over competition when the first two matches were played on 27 November.

Batting first against Levin Old Boys, they were bowled out for 82 in 19.3 overs.

Levin then passed the total, scoring 83 for

the loss of six wickets in 16.2 overs Parminder was again the pick of the Ōtaki bowlers, taking two wickets for 10 runs from his four overs. Ōtaki then lost its second 20-over match, beaten by Paraparaumu.

Batting first, Ōtaki made 105 for eight and Paraparumu then notched up 108 for the loss of just two wickets.

Parminder shone again in this encounter, this time with the bat. He scored 44 runs from just 34 balls and was named among the top five players of the day by the Horowhenua Kāpiti Cricket Association.

The Ōtaki Presidents took out their first victory of the season in the opening round of the 20-over competition on 27 November.

After bowling out Paraparaumu for 113, Ōtaki passed the total with the loss of eight wickets in 28.5 overs.

Greg Selby top scored for Ōtaki with 29 runs from 47 deliveries, while Conrad Moreahu was the pick of the Ōtaki bowlers, snaring three wickets for just 16 runs from eight overs.

Top: Inder Singh sends down another delivery. He came as close as you can get to a hat trick on 20 November when he took three wickets in just four balls.

Left: Michael Papps, who scored an unbeaten 45 runs from just 30 deliveries in Ōtaki’s latest 45-over match.

• If you can safely stay in your home, you will receive a care pack containing advice on self-care and path to recovery. It may include a pulse oximeter if you need one.

• Your health, welfare and wellbeing needs are discussed, with immediate supports and information provided.

This could be with your GP, a social and wellbeing provider, a kaupapa Māori or Pacific provider, or the public health unit.

Find out more at Covid19.govt.nz/be-prepared

If you are isolating and need support, you can call the COVID Welfare Phone Line on 0800 512 337.

It’s open seven days a week.

Remember if at any time you need urgent medical help or are having difficulties breathing, call 111 immediately. Tell them you have COVID-19 when you ring.

Within the first 48 hours of getting your test result

Within the first 24 hours of getting your test result

For Ōtaki support call Te Puna Oranga o Ōtaki 021 0877 1700 Atawhai Manaakitanga Kotahitanga

• Others in your household will need to be tested regularly to check whether they have COVID-19. You will be advised when, how and where this needs to be done.

• You do not need to be tested. If you did, the result would likely show as positive but that doesn’t mean you are infectious.

• You will need to be free of COVID-19 symptoms for the 72 hours prior to your release date and continue to have no symptoms. If approved, you will be able to leave your house the next day.

• Once the last case has been released from isolation, the remaining members of the household will have a further period of 10 days in isolation. This means they will need to isolate for longer than you.

• Anyone you live with will need to stay home for the entire time you (and anyone else in your household who tests positive) are isolating.

• You will have a health assessment by a medical practitioner at 10 to 14 days (the timing depends on if you are vaccinated).

• Ongoing assessments of your welfare and wellbeing needs • Frequency of health checks will vary, depending on your symptoms and recovery: – If you are at low risk of experiencing severe COVID-19 infection and have mild symptoms, you are likely to be monitored every other day via telehealth.

– If you have moderate symptoms or are considered more at risk, you will receive a daily virtual health check from your health provider.

Beyond 10-14 days

Days 10-14

From 48 hours onwards

If you’re feeling nervous or unsure about what the next few weeks will look like, kei te pai (all good). Everyone who starts home isolation feels this way – it’s totally normal. While you are isolating at home, you’ll have a designated contact person who will check up on you regularly to make sure that you and your whānau are safe.

Health, welfare and wellbeing checks

What to expect when self-isolating

Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

15

16

Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

Ōtaki – Education Town

Report on the activities of Te Reanga Ipurangi Ōtaki Education Trust

BY JIM MATHESON Here are some extracts from the latest annual report of Te Reanga Ipurangi Ōtaki Education Trust presented by the chairperson, Rachael Selby.

This local trust, whose establishment was sponsored by Ngāti Raukawa, (through the Ōtaki Porirua Trust Board) was set up in 2013 to support development and improvement in education for the Ōtaki community. Its first initiative was to enable all students attending schools and kura in Ōtaki to buy digital devices.

The trustees are Rachael Selby, Jim Matheson, Moko Cooper, Katherine Tegg, Kim Tahiwi, Awhina Gray and Bill McClellan.

Teacher education

This year we began on a wonderful high note as Te Reanga Ipurangi hosted 120 Ōtaki teachers at Te Ara a Tāwhaki on the Te Wananga o Raukawa campus to share a teachers’ professional development day.

The theme of the day was Raukawatanga.

The programme provided a mix of keynote speakers, workshops and visits to key Ōtaki places. It was an opportunity for teachers from the seven schools and kura present to meet peers and colleagues.

Our teachers in Ōtaki are responsible for 1300–1400 tamariki each day.

They enjoyed the presentations, the opportunity to walk to workshops at

Māoriland, the Ōtaki Museum, Ngā Purapura, Te Ara a Tāwhaki and within the Campus library. We were grateful to all the wānanga staff who participated and to those in the community who gave generously of their time. Te Wananga o Raukawa provided meals and refreshments which were further opportunity for collegial exchanges.

Unfortunately, the next Teacher Education Day scheduled in November has been postponed because of COVID and the limit on gathering numbers. We hope to re-schedule in the autumn of 2022.

COVID-19

COVID-19 has very successfully interrupted the flow of education throughout the rohe and Aotearoa over the year and just as much for Ōtaki and our families as anywhere else. As a result of the Trust’s work over the last five years I am confident though that most of our children and families have had access to digital devices at a level not necessarily experienced in all communities. The challenge for the Trust is how we can continue to support learners and their whanau with devices in the ways we have in the past.

Kāhui Tokotoko o Ōtaki

Te Reanga Ipurangi has continued to support the newly-established Kāhui Tokotoko in Ōtaki. This collaboration of

seven schools and kura is supported by the Ministry of Education. Through this, the community has had two additional staff members employed. Based at Ōtaki College, they work as learning support co-ordinators across all the schools and kura.

It has been most pleasing to see the growth and work all the kura and schools’ tumuaki/principals as they have continued to meet regularly and collegially to share opportunities for ongoing development in various initiatives. The Trust has played a key role in facilitating this collaboration.

It is a long-term project, supported by all tumuaki and principals as we work together building collaboration across our schools and kura.

Funding

We have had two hui with philanthropic funders who continue to be interested in our work. As a result, the Wellington Community Trust has given us a grant of $30,000 to explore an Ōtaki Tech Innovation Project within our kura and schools.

We continue seeking funding for those families who would benefit from receiving chromebooks for their learners.

Last year we donated 20 chromebooks to Te Kura-a-iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano and Ōtaki College. These devices have been used many reasons. These include for whānau unable to buy a device

and for children who prefer to have one available at school rather than taking one home. They can also be back-up devices when those needing repairs have been sent away and for whānau with more than two or three children who are unable to buy devices for them all. Information on how the devices are being used is an important part of our feedback to our funders.

Because Waitohu School and now Ōtaki Primary have bought devices for use at school only, the chromebooks are not going home as was envisaged. This will have impact on Ōtaki College because children from those contributing schools will arrive without devices at the beginning of the year. We will explore how we can provide additional assistance for Ōtaki College in 2022.

An appreciation

The Trust sees real value for all in our community from greater collaboration across our kura and schools and the collective focus on building the skills of our teacher workforce. The Trust is encouraged by the very positive leadership shown by our tumuaki and principals and we look forward to continuing our work together.

The Trust appreciates the support of its funders including the One Foundation, Goodman Contractors, and Wellington Community Trust.

We wish you and your families a safe & Happy Christmas. Thank you for your support in 2021.

We look forward to helping you with your Real Estate needs in 2022.

YOUR LOCAL OTAKI SALES TEAM Peter Heald Natalie Malloy M 027 536 5616 M 022 302 2660 E peter@dwre.co.nz E natalie@dwre.co.nz

Your local Otaki Professionals sales Peter Heald Natalie Malloy M 027 536 5616 M 022 302 2660 E natalie@dwre.co.nz E peter@dwre.co.nz

17

Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

Ōtaki College News December 2021

www.otakicollege.school.nz

From the Principal Andy Fraser We now find ourselves at the conclusion of the school year and, despite it being disrupted, it has been incredibly pleasing to be able to celebrate student successes at our recent Year 7&8 and Year 9&10 College Prizegivings. Although we are really disappointed at being unable to have whanau present at these events, the livestreaming has enabled whanau members from all over New Zealand to celebrate with us. In the future we hope to have whanau back but will continue the practice of livestreaming to engage whanau members that cannot attend – which is a positive outcome to take from difficult times.

While we have been able to celebrate the large number of successes by our students, I would like to specifically congratulate the following students who have achieved at the highest level: At Year 7&8 the Home and School Contribution to Class Cups were awarded to the following students for their outstanding contributions to their Homeroom life: 7&8 ATN: Bijou Austin 7&8 DHT: Mana Toimata 7&8 LCW: Saul Ward 7&8 MNL: Giorgio Bevan 7&8 SOL: Rose Reynolds 7&8 SWL: Hamish Campbell

The Modi Award for Top Academic Achievement and Effort in Year 7 went to Francisco McKenzie and in Year 8 it was awarded to Giorgio Bevan.

At Year 9&10 the Ōtaki Jubilee Scholarship and Cup for outstanding involvement in college activities and encouraging others to participate, was awarded by the XŌtaki Alumni Trust.

This award recognises the recipients for their ability to consistently live our motto of Kia Kaha. This was awarded to Louis Bevan and Vallerie Natano Seumanutafa.

The Home and School Association Cup Top Scholar and the Modi Award in Year 9 was awarded to Harriet Georgetti and in Year 10 to Louis Bevan.

We would like to now share with you critical start up dates so that this will help you with your advance planning for the New Year.

ŌTAKI COLLEGE 2022 STUDENT RETURN DATES

All Year 7 and NEW students/staff assemble on tennis courts

9:45am

Pōwhiri

11:30am

RETURNING Yr 9 and 10s (assemble in Gym)

Students in class, followed by a house event in the afternoon - students should bring a change of clothes for this event.

(Buses will run as for normal school day) 11:30am– 3:15pm

Monday 31 January 10:00am–2:00pm Any new enrolments from Years 7-13 who have not received a confirmation email or phone call before this date need to come in to the College and enrol. All Year Level Deans will be available at this time.

The College Office will be open for chromebook and stationery sales before College starts as follows: Tue 25 Jan-Thur 3 Feb, 09.00am-12.00midday and 1.00pm-3.00pm (closed for lunch from 12.00-1.00pm).

From Fri 4 Feb normal office hours will resume: 08.30am - 04.00pm.

Chromebooks may be purchased outright from the College - for $542 - Acer C311-C733 4GB RAM. This price includes 3yr warranty, up to 3yr insurance (up to 3 repairs or 1 replacement) and a bag.

Thursday 3 February 10:00am–1:00pm Year 7 and new Year 8, 9 and 10 students please come to the College Library with your parent/ caregiver to meet with your Homeroom or Kaiārahi Teacher and the Principal for a short visit. No uniform required.

Friday 4 February Pōwhiri and full school return but at different times, depending on Year Level. Correct uniform to be worn (female students must wear a skirt to the pōwhiri).

9:00am

9:30am

Following the pōwhiri new students and parents are invited for refreshments in the staffroom

Wednesday 2 February 09:00am–3:00pm Year 11, 12 and 13 course counselling for students and, if possible, parents – individual appointment times will be emailed mid January. No uniform required. Year 8 Leadership Day - details will be emailed.

RETURNING Students yr 8 and Yr 11–13 (assemble in the College Gym)

The canteen will be open from Fri 4 Feb. The free lunch service will commence from Tue 8 February.

Uniform is sold through Marlan Trading, State Highway One, Ōtaki. Marlan Trading will be open for College Uniform fittings Monday to Friday 9.30am4.30pm until 21 December and until 12.30pm on 22 December. Marlan will reopen on Fri 14 January – if these hours don’t suit, ring Kirsten on 027 466 3317 to arrange a time. If paying by parent account Marlan will need to verify the payment with College. You will then need to return the following day to collect your uniform items.

There will be a second-hand uniform day at College on 26 January from 10.00am-2.00pm.

Thank you for your ongoing support and we wish you a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and please stay safe.

Year

7

2022 Start Up Arrangements

Year

8

Year

10

Year

9

COVID Planning for 2022

We are currently engaged in strategizing and planning around how to manage the traffic light system in the coming year. What is apparent is that the College will be open regardless of what level the system is operating at. In the New Year we will share more with you around our planning but there are things that people can do that will help us minimise the risk of transmission which include: • wearing masks at all times when entering and leaving the College • signing in at the office • sanitising hands • not coming into College if you are feeling unwell and showing any signs of COVID • getting tested immediately you may have concerns around your health.

Sport 2022

I need to inform you that College Sport Wellington and New Zealand Secondary Schools College Sport have made it very clear that: • only fully vaccinated students will be allowed to play College sport if they are 12 years and 3 months and older • all coaches, managers and associated volunteers of sports teams must be fully vaccinated • all spectators attending games must be vaccinated and wearing masks at levels orange and red.

This may cause some pressure on young people and their whānau but we must adhere to these guidelines which have been put in place to help protect participants during College sport events.

Some of the Special Award Winners, pictured left Year 7 – Francisco McKenzie, Jayden Taranchokov, Saul Ward.

Year 8 – (Back) Giorgio Bevan, Jordan Blakeley, Hamish Campbell, (front) Rose Reynolds, Mana Toimata, Bijou Austin.

Year 9 – Olivia Fogden, Koya Taiapa, Cruise Lambert, (front) Harriet Georgetti.

Year 10 – Te Kahariki Waitai, Vallerie Natano Seumanutafa, Louis Bevan.

Maddy McAlpine – 2020 Ōtaki Mail Scholarship Winner Moving to Palmerston North was not as daunting as I thought it would be.

I have visited this city many times in my life, and I was very familiar with the town. Moving into the Massy Manawatu Halls, however, was a different story.

Packing almost everything I owned and somehow managing to fit it in my tiny two-door Toyota Rav, turned out to be quite the struggle, but I got there in the end.

Unfortunately for me, my room was at the end of the hall, on the fourth floor, with no elevator available, and lugging my whole life up four flights of stairs continuously, was probably the best workout I’ve ever had (not to mention the fact that I was locked out of my room, with a key that didn’t work, and no way to get in.)

I immediately began working on my two majors, English and Education, along with a few compulsory courses

for my BA degree and a Politics elective. This assortment of classes allowed me to expand my knowledge on subjects that I was passionate about, and I was also able to delve into areas that were foreign to me.

Leaving the Halls was harder than I had expected, as I had made such close friends with some of the other people living there. Luckily, we are all moving into a Uni flat together next year!

Even with the resurgence of COVID-19, and having to go into lockdown at the end of the year, my first year of University was such an important year in my life, as it allowed me to become more independent and form everlasting relationships, and I am excited to continue with this journey in the years to come.

Maddy was the 2020 recipient of the Ōtaki Mail scholarship of $500 to assist with tertiary study.

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Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

Energise Ōtaki semi-finalist in 2022 New Zealander of the Year

Local charity Energise Ōtaki has been selected for the first round of a national awards programme recognising participants’ “outstanding impact on Aotearoa”.

“We’re in the ‘Community of the Year’ category [of the 2022 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards], so we see this as a nod to Ōtaki’s community”, said trust Chair Leigh Ramsey.

This year, the (largely volunteer-run) trust and partners launched Warm Up Ōtaki, to

help Ōtaki households access highly subsidised insulation and heat pumps. In 2021, its Ōtaki Bike Space gave away 75 donated and repaired bikes, and this month established a permanent bike storage and workshop unit next to the Skatepark.

There have been three successful Repair Cafés in which volunteers shared their fix-it skills with the public – although December’s Café had to be rapidly relocated due to a change in COVID vaccination requirements. “This time we were smaller, but supporting community continues to be very important, especially when we share significant challenges” said the event’s organiser and trustee Hanna Wagner-Nicholls.

The trust is in early stages of waste conversion, climate emissions and energy

education projects, but perhaps the year’s most notable achievement was its first, annual round of the Whakahiko Ōtaki– Energise Ōtaki fund. “It’s a year now since we switched on the Rau Kūmara solar farm”, said Ramsey. “As well as supplying Ōtaki College and KCDC with clean power, we could help fund six Ōtaki projects from its proceeds. The solar farm is community-owned and that’s a kiwi first, but there will be more. We’re planning on it.”

Winners of the New Zealander of the Year Awards will be announced in March 2022.

Other finalists include groups rescuing ‘ugly’ food for distribution, organising science hui and working towards zero waste through kaupapa Māori.

Energise Ōtaki trustees and staff, from L to R: Emily McDowell, Hanna WagnerNicholls, David Rumsey, Barb Nixon Mackay, Lloyd Chapman, Matt Brenin, Stuart Pritchard, Leigh Ramsey. Absent: Gael Ferguson, Kirsty Doyle, Miriam Richardson, Caitlin Cunningham

Successful Ōtaki Summer Camp returns

BY FRANK NEILL The hugely successful Ōtaki Summer Camp returns next month, attracting young people aged 17 to 30 years with an interest in politics, justice, anti-racism, equality and the environment.

Running from 21 to 24 January, the camp has attracted more than 200 young people in the four years it has run until now.

“Last year around 300 attended,” says one of the camp organisers, Nicky Hager, who is well-known throughout New Zealand as an investigative journalist and author of six best-selling books.

“This year, given the disruption of COVID we are expecting something over 200 people.”

Climate change will be well to the fore at January’s summer camp, Mr Hager says.

“There will be a big session on the history – good and bad – of the efforts to control climate change.”

One of the three keynote speakers at the camp is Mike Smith, a member of the Iwi Leaders Group and Greenpeace, an activist and a climate change expert.

Mr Smith featured in one of the most memorable news stories of the 1990s when he attacked the lone pine on top of Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill. He dropped the tree to protest the government’s fiscal envelope policy – a proposed billiondollar cap on Treaty settlements, with full and final settlement – in other words, an expiry date on Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The government went on to drop that policy.

Last month Mr Smith was again in the news as he was behind an appeal to the Court of Appeal, which denied an attempt to force seven large polluting companies to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Mr Smith has said he will appeal that decision to the Supreme Court.

Alongside Mr Smith, a “good selection” of school strike for climate members will be attending the upcoming summer camp.

“It is really important that we have some good discussion on climate change moving forward,” Mr Hager says.

Dr Souxsie Wiles, the very well-known independent spokesperson on infectious diseases, is the second keynote speaker.

Dr Wiles, Associate Professor and head of Auckland University’s Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab, is a microbiologist and science commentator, and has been widely reported in the news media on issues relating to COVID-19.

One of New Zealand’s leading journalists, Bernard Hickey, is the third keynote speaker.

Mr Hickey is a regular media commentator on financial, economic and investment issues. His 23-plus years’ experience includes roles with Reuters, the Financial Times Group and Fairfax Media.

He currently publishes Hive News, a subscription news email on economics and politics written from the Parliamentary Press Gallery in Wellington.

The Ōtaki Summer Camp has its genesis is a conversation Mr Hager had with Ōtaki resident Adrian Leason while

sitting in armchairs on the porch of Mr Leason’s Bennetts Road home where the camp will be based.

One thing led to another, and the idea of a summer camp for young people emerged.

Mr Leason and Mr Hagar then added some friends, formed a committee, and established the camp.

“We are doing it as a sign of faith and hope that it will be good for young people,” Mr Hager says.

“We believe that good will come of it.

“My favourite thing about the camp is the outpouring of support it gets from Ōtaki locals, and it couldn’t happen without that.

“There are locals out gathering plums, people offering accommodation, people working in the kitchen, people turning up with gear the camp needs and volunteers in the weekend.

“It feels like the town is really behind the camp,” Mr Hager says.

The camp costs $100 for the four days.

In addition, there are scholarships available that allow people to attend at no cost. More information, including registration and scholarships, is available on the camp’s website, www.otakisummercamp.com.

Te Pou Whakawhirinaki o Aotearoa

“JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS” “It’s beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS…” Are you struggling to find some real 2021 Christmas happiness? Ōtaki CAB volunteers would love to help give you some peace of mind over this festive season.

We will work with you to help resolve any issue you may have – budgeting, tenancy laws, JPs, domestic challenges, etc. Call us and let us sprinkle your life with a little Christmas joy.

CALL CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU

65a Main Street, Ōtaki Tel: 06-364 8664 | Email: otaki@cab.org.nz CAB Ōtaki will close from Wednesday 22 December 2021 and re-open on Monday 17 January 2022.

For information or online chat during this period Tel. 0800 367 222 or email www.cab.org.nz

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Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

Kia ora from the Ōtaki Public Library – Te Wharepukapuka o Ōtaki

Librarian’s Choice – Nyria

Wars Without End

Finding Eadie

Over lockdown I read the compelling and current (revised and updated to include Ihumātao and Raa Maumahara) Wars Without End written by senior Māori historian Danny Keenan (Ngāti Te Whiti Te Ātiawa). This relevant book eloquently and powerfully describes the Māori reasons for fighting the Land Wars, placing them in the wider context of the Māori struggle to retain their sovereign estates.

Keenan shows how tensions began early, arising from disputed land sales. When open conflict between Māori and Imperial forces broke out in the 1840s and 1860s, the struggles only intensified. For both sides, land was at the heart of the conflict, one that casts a long shadow over race relations in modern-day Aotearoa.

“A compelling exploration of crucial events that shaped Aotearoa, enriched by a Māori perspective.” Buddy Mikaere, Māori historian and former Waitangi Tribunal Director.

It’s London 1943, and war and dwindling resources are taking their toll on the staff of Partridge Press. The Ministry of Information has published The Battle of Britain, and everyone needs more books to read in the shelters, at home and for the troops. The pressure is on to create new books to distract readers from the grim realities of the war, but Partridge’s rising star, Alice Cotton, leaves abruptly and cannot be found. Alice’s forced absence is to give birth to a child and although Alice won’t reveal the identity of her baby’s father, Alice’s mother promises to help her raise the child. Instead, she decides to secretly give away her granddaughter, Eadie. With the police unable to help, Alice’s search takes her from the offices of child welfare organisations and newspapers, to dangerous places and the infamous baby farmers who thrive in the changing conditions that war has created.

by Danny Keenan

by Carolyn Beecham

Emma

A stunning 200th anniversary edition of Jane Austen’s classic romance comedy This Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition celebrates 200 years of Austen’s beloved novel. With a beautiful cover designed by illustrator Dadu Shin and comprehensive notes sourced from the Jane Austen Collection, this is an edition to be treasured by students and collectors alike.

With its imperfect but charming heroine and its witty and subtle exploration of relationships, Emma is often seen as Jane Austen’s most flawless work. Beautiful, clever, rich-and single-Emma Woodhouse is perfectly content with her life and sees no need for either love or marriage. Nothing, however, delights her more than interfering in the romantic lives of others. But when she ignores the warnings of her good friend Mr. Knightley and attempts to arrange a suitable match for her protegee Harriet Smith, her carefully laid plans soon unravel and have consequences that she never expected.

Trust

by Chris Hammer Martin Scarsden’s new life seems perfect, right up until the moment it’s shattered by a voicemail: a single scream, abruptly cut off, from his partner Mandalay Blonde.

Racing home, he finds an unconscious man sprawled on the floor and Mandy gone. Someone has abducted her. But who, and why? So starts a twisting tale of intrigue and danger, as Martin probes the past of the woman he loves, a woman who has buried her former life so deep she has never mentioned it. And for the first time, Mandy finds denial impossible, now the body of a mystery man has been discovered, a man whose name she doesn’t know, a man she was engaged to marry when he died. It’s time to face her demons once and for all; it’s time she learned how to trust.

Here are some tips to keeping your Christmas festive and fun but vet free…

Many common foods and snacks we humans enjoy can be dangerous to our pets. Animals digest and metabolise food differently to humans which means what might be perfectly fine for us can be poisonous to them.

Its best to refrain from sharing human food with your pets and be very cautious about where you are leaving food that may be easily accessible to them for example wrapped chocolates and food under the Christmas tree.

Common festive foods that are not safe for our furry friends

• Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant similar to caffeine, found in the cocoa bean. It is not effectively broken down in our pets’ bodies and affects their central nervous system and heart muscle. Depending on how dark the chocolate is (how much cocoa it contains), how much is eaten and the size of the animal (the smaller the dog,

the more dangerous it will be).

Chocolate can cause seizures, vomiting, diarrhoea and can potentially kill your pet.

• Fruit cake and Christmas pudding often contain raisins and grapes which can cause kidney failure and death. In some cases, very small dogs have died after eating only a handful of raisins or grapes. As sensitivity to the toxins seems to vary so much from animal to animal, it is just best not to feed your dog ANY grapes or raisins or food that contains these ingredients.

• Corn cobs can cause blockages in the small intestine that may need to be surgically removed.

• Fatty meats such as ham on the bone as well as pork crackling can cause vomiting, bloody diarrhoea and may lead to pancreatitis. Treatment for pancreatitis often involves a stay in hospital with fluid therapy, strong pain relief, anti-nausea medication and

antibiotics – and we are sure no one would want to see their pet in hospital, especially at Christmas time.

• Alcohol and caffeine are both very toxic for pets.

• Pits and seeds of fruits contain a substance which degrades to cyanide which is toxic. Pits of fruits can also cause blockages and damage to the intestine.

• Macadamia nuts although unlikely to be fatal can cause very uncomfortable symptoms that can last for up to 48 hours and some dogs will need to see a vet for pain relief and possibly intravenous fluids.

These are just a few foods of concerns so please stick to your regular food and include some pet friendly treats from our clinic.

If you think your pet has eaten something dangerous you should call us immediately.

Ōtaki Vets

Ōtaki 269Vets Mill Road

269 Mill Road364 7089 364 6941 364 6941 364 7089 contact@otakivets.co.nz

contact@otakivets.co.nz www.otakivets.com www.otakivets.com Come our friendly Come and and meet meet our friendly team te

20

Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

Ōtaki Schools kapa haka

BY MARGARET ANDREWS Ōtaki School’s Kia Manawanui (bilingual) and Te Korowai Whakamana (te reo immersion) classes turned on a magnificent kapa haka performance for their whanau to demonstrate all they had learned over the year, with the annual Kapiti schools Kapa Haka Festival falling victim to COVID-19 and the cancellation of the massed festival was cancelled.

Held at the Civic Theatre, they gave two performances, to allow for COVID-19 restrictions. They sang, performed action songs, poi and haka to the delight of their audiences, from the smallest five year olds to the year eight class, each and every child was involved on stage.

OTAKI IN THE NEWS 1840–1850 Selected from early New Zealand newspapers.

August 30, 1845 Te Rauparaha, is said to be dangerously ill at his pa in Otaki. The maoris, our informant states, do not expect him to recover. Rangihaeata is in close attendance upon him. The two chiefs were to have had a meeting with Tyroa and the other maoris from the southern island, at Porirua, but owing to the illness of Te Rauparaha it did not take place.

January 24, 1846 We are informed by persons who have returned from the coast, that the native crops in this district are looking very well, and promise to yield an abundant harvest. The maoris have adopted an unusual and economical system of culture: After the last harvest they turn their pigs into the fields as gleaners, they turned up and manured the soil, and left sufficient grain as seed for the succeeding year. About three months since, the river in a freshet opened for itself a new course, carrying away about one-half of the pa. The natives, we believe, intend building another pa more inland, leaving the remains of the present pa for the use of those engaged in fishing during the summer season.

March 14, 1846 Some persons who have just arrived from the coast state that two hundred armed natives from Taupo have joined Rangihaeata, and the settlers at Manawatu are very apprehensive that, in the event of an engagement between the troops and the natives, this chief will make reprisals, and endeavor to cut off the outsettlers. On Thursday (three days only after the Governor’s visit to Porirua) news arrived that Rangihaeata threatened to stop Mr Skipwith’s sheep, and to kill them if the persons in charge of them attempted to drive them beyond Porirua.

September 16, 1846 Our latest news from the coast is to the effect that the rebels, under Rangihaeata, have taken up a strong position in the neighborhood of Otaki, at the foot of a mountain, where they are erecting a strong pa. In the front of their position is a large swamp, which forms

The Te Korowai Whakamana boys in a rousing spirited haka.

a half circle to the base of the mountain.

The mountain, which is the rear of their position, is covered with dense bush, and the rebels will always be enabled to retreat, in case of accident, by the rear, since it is almost impossible to surround them.

February 13, 1847 In his recent visit to this district, Mr Cotton brought with him two hives from Auckland, which were taken to Otaki for the purpose of teaching the Natives the management of them, and they have proved apt pupils under his tuition: they have taken the swarms themselves, and manufacture straw hives equal in every respect to the model with which they have been furnished.

April 14, 1847 It is intended, we believe, to station a party of Police at Otaki, that place being deemed more favourable for keeping the coast line open than at Waikanae.

July 29, 1848 The natives at Otaki, some few days since, ordered Mr Skipwith to drive off his cattle and sheep from that district.

The reason assigned was, that they wanted the ground for a similar purpose.

It appears the natives do not object to settlers keeping one or two cows, for home use; but they entertain strong aversion to herds of cattle. Mr Skipwith has driven his sheep to Manawatu , to try his fortune there, and his cattle are now running at Uruhi.

August 16, 1848 Rangihaeata has taken possession of the whole of Mr Skipwith’s sheep, eleven hundred in number. A few days since he stopped sixteen head of cattle belonging to Mr Watt, merchant of this place, which were being driven to Wanganui, and seized the person of Mr Caverhill who had charge of the herd, detaining him close prisoner for some time.

September 9, 1848 Rangihaeata is still troubling the out-settlers. Seventy of his armed followers have driven Mr Skipwith’s sheep away from Manawatu to Otaki; and a drove of pigs belonging to Mr Webb, which were being driven in from Manawatu, have been detained by him.

September 16, 1848

1045 SHEEP FOR SALE

In consequence of the interference of certain natives, Mr F.R.E.Skipwith intends to offer for sale 1045 sheep, more or less. The above sheep have been mostly bred in the colony and are quite clean, and are now on their way down the coast and will be in town shortly.

September 16, 1848 On Wednesday last, Rangihaeata met his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief

All children in the Te Korowai Whakamana classes came together for the final song and movement.

at Otaki. The Natives assembled in considerable numbers, whilst only three or four gentlemen accompanied the Governor.

Rangihaeata, who had a dogskin mat thrown over his shoulders, a meri in his hand, and feathers in his hair, stood up to make a speech. He referred to the war, to his actions throughout, how he had fought like a man, until he had settled in Manawatu. He then stated that he was tired of war, though prepared to resist, but that he longed to live at Taupo, Porirua, which he considered as his place.

“Otaki, January 1, 1858 “Sir, – I have the honour to inform you that I have received a formal communication from Mr Richmond aquainting me that his Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint you to inspect the Native and half-caste schools at Wellington, the Hutt and Otaki.

I have further the honour to inform you that as I have now ceased to receive any pecuniary aid from the Government, towards the support of the school at Otaki, I shall not consent to any inspection of that Institution. I have written to Mr Richmond to that effect.

I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, Octavius Hadfield January 4, 1858

OTAKI ACCOMMODATION HOUSE

GEORGE BEVAN, late of Wykowa, begs to inform his old Friends and Customers that he has now completed his NEW ACCOMMODATION HOUSE AT OTAKI And trusts he will not be forgotten by Travellers passing thru the district.

Good paddocks, abundance of Green and dry Food, for horses.

HORSES ALWAYS TO BE OBTAINED ON HIRE. January 29, 1858

ROYAL ARCH HOTEL

Wm. Dodds, in returning thanks to the West Coast Settlers and the public in general for the liberal patronage he has received since opening his house at the inland Ferry, Otaki, hopes by strict attention to their comforts, and having always on hand a good supply of Ale, Wines, and Spirits, of the best in the Colony, to merit a continuance of the same.

N.B. – Good stabling, and well-fenced paddocks.

January 19, 1859

NOTICE – To the Settlers on the West Coast

The undersigned on the 1st of January,

1859, will commence travelling as Cattle Drover.

Such of the Settlers on the West Coast, as may wish to avail themselves of his services in driving Cattle, etc., to Wellington, are requested to communicate by letter, to his address at Otaki.

HENRY EAGER, Senior.

June 28, 1859 The Overland Mail from Wellington – Mr Eager, Postmaster, Otaki, has taken the new mail contract at L900, without and stipulation as to weight.

July 26, 1859 We have to report the loss of the Valentine Hellicar, Capt. McPherson, in Cook’s Strait on the 10th instant. This vessel sailed from Melbourne on the 23rd June, for Lyttleton, with a small cargo, consisting of tea, sugar, coffee, spirits, tobacco, etc., and 12 cabin and four steerage passengers. She encountered strong contrary winds in Bass’s Straits, which detained her some days, sighted Cape Farewell on Saturday last, the 9th instant, and entered the Straits with a strong westerly gale. About two o’clock on Sunday morning during a gale of wind, and heavy storm of thunder, lightning and hail, and very dark, the vessel ran onto the Otaki beach, to the northward of Kapiti. Immediately on hearing of the disaster, the Venerable Archdeacon Hadfield, accompanied by the natives residing at Otaki, proceeded to the scene of the wreck, and the natives under his direction rendered every assistance in saving the cargo and passengers baggage. The whole of the passengers and crew were safely landed and lodged at Mr G. Bevan’s accommodation house; and the cargo deposited in the barn on the Mission Station, which was kindly lent for the purpose. Great credit is also due to the European residents at Otaki, who tendered all the assistance in their power. The vessel lies high and dry at low water on Otaki beach, with her foremast cut away, and may possibly be got off again. The following are the names of the passengers: Cabin, W. Davis and lady, Mr Barrett, lady and four chidren, Mr Joseph Barrett, Mr Charles Barrett, and four steerage passengers. We understand that both the vessel and cargo are insured.

August 26, 1859 The wreck of the Valentine Hellicar, as it now lies at Otaki, was sold by Messrs.

Bethune and Hunter on Tuesday. The ship and gear were sold in one lot, and brought L55, and certain anchors, chain, etc., (the property of the master), were sold for L38. Two bales of wool were advertised for sale at the same time, but were not offered.

21

Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

Media Muse Fantasy Football is an online game in which players pretend to be managers of teams engaged in major real-world competitions, mainly in Britain and the United States. In the New Zealand version, sports teams are replaced by political parties. Entry is free, open to anyone with a keyboard, a phone or a spraycan. Whereas the score in Fantasy Football is based on teams’ actual results on the pitch, New Zealand’s Fantasy Politics runs off political opinion polls and the prejudices of its players – mainly the Parliamentary Press Gallery and a hoard of columnists, contributors, experts, pundits, punters, sausage rollers and various off-course substitutes.

The vast difference between Fantasy Politics and the real thing was apparent in the recent kerfuffle in which the National Party, the second largest of the small handful of competitors in the local tournament, dealt itself a new leader after adding Judith Collins to its steadilygrowing leadership discard pile.

In major international sports, like football, rugby and cricket, the top teams compete in championship events every three or four years. For our political parties in government, it’s three short years between elections and three long years if they’re in Opposition.

Once in government, though, a pattern has developed for parties to remain in power for nine years. The only exception in recent times was David Lange’s Fourth Labour Government (1984–89) which failed to win a third term.

The end of a lengthy period on the Treasury benches under one leader – Muldoon, Lange, Bolger, Clark, Key – inevitably triggers a search for a new leader. Like a collection of spots keen to change their

By Manakau’s Tom Frewen leopard, a party’s leadership contenders can take several years of leaking, back-biting and back-stabbing before one of them emerges as the new top dog to lead the pack. Of intense interest to news media with their Fantasy Politics focus on political parties and their leaders as teams in a game, disunity within political parties diverts them from their real purpose, particularly if they are not in government and are being paid to liei about as members of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, holding her Government to account.

This was the job that Sir David Carter was talking about on Morning Report on Friday 26 November. With National MPs about to dump the woman who had been their fourth leader since Key, Parliament’s former Speaker had been invited on the radio to discuss her likely sucessor.

Simon Bridges? Would he be the Comeback Kid? Carter thought he could be “but I’m not particularly endorsing Simon or anybody else.”

Christopher Luxon? “Is it too soon for him?” Corin Dann asked Carter, alluding to the former Air New Zealand chief executive’s very short work experience as an MP. “I think Christopher Luxon comes with huge ability… I don’t think it’s too soon for him,” said Carter, whose main political ambition plateaued at being the minister for agriculture, a position he reached in 2011.

“It is a mess,” he said, agreeing with Dann’s summation of the disarray in his Party’s leadership. “Yep, it’s a mess that needs to be sorted and I hope they can do that on Tuesday and get back to being an effective opposition.”

Carter’s National colleague, fellow knight of the realm and former prime minister,

Police catching drivers who flee

BY FRANK NEILL Ōtaki Police are catching up with drivers who fail to stop when signalled to do so, or who fail to remain stopped at a checkpoint. Two drivers who either failed to stop or failed to remain stopped at a checkpoint during the month to 8 December were located by Police and faced court appearances. One was a 39-year-old man, who failed to remain stopped at a Police checkpoint on State Highway 1 at 9.10pm on 24 November.

Police later located him and he is to appear in the Levin District Court on 17 January where he will face a charge of failing to stop for Police. Police signalled a vehicle to stop in the Mill Road area. Instead of stopping, the driver fled down Mill Road driving dangerously. Not only was he driving at speed, he was driving on the wrong side of the road and overtaking other drivers.

A 19-year-old man was located at a later date and arrested. He was due to appear in the Levin District Court on 15 December charged with dangerous driving and aggravated failing to stop.

Under the new Police guidelines, Police are not usually giving chase when drivers fail to stop for them.

“What we are finding is that drivers who fail to stop continue to drive at speed and in a dangerous manner, even though Police are not chasing them,” says Sergeant Phil Grimstone, the Police’s officer in charge of Ōtaki.

“We know this from fatalities caused by drivers who flee even though Police are not chasing them] and from driving complaints.”

That behaviour is putting people using roads and footpaths at risk.

The spate of vehicles being broken into and stolen or attempted to be stolen continued over the last month. Police have identified a number of youth suspects between Paraparaumu and Palmerston North. Many of the vehicles targeted were parked on the side of the road. A number of the vehicles were recovered within a day or two.

“If a vehicle is locked, ideally no items of value are visible, and it is parked on a property that is ideally fenced or gated, it is far less likely to be a target,” Sergeant Grimstone says.

Police attended 31 family harm incidents between 17 November and 8 December – a high number of that time period. Of the 31, 11 were repeat family harm incidents.

Alcohol has been a factor in roughly 23% of family harm offending over the past year, Sergeant Grimstone says.

Police investigations continue into an armed robbery at the Ōtaki Surf Lifesaving Club carpark on 28 October.

Two young Ōtaki men were parked in the carpark when the two offenders arrived at around 3.30am.

One of the offenders presented a rifle and stole a cell phone and a car.

Police have identified one of the offenders, a 20-year-old Porirua man.

He has been arrested and charged with aggravated robbery. He appeared in the Porirua District Court on 19 November and was further remanded until 17 Dec. Police are still investigating in relation to the other offender, believed to have presented the rifle.

Jim Bolger, was also concerned with his Party’s performance in holding the Government to account in Parliament.

Referring to protests here and abroad at restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the virus, and divisions between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated, he said: “We’ve got to be very sensitive to the fact that we could easily divide society, even a New Zealand society. And we want a leader in the opposition and as well as in government (who) can bring people together… offer people hope. Peope thrive on hope, the hope of a better tomorrow.”

National’s next leader should be able “to articulate a different vision of tomorrow, a better one.” The first question for the leadership contenders should be “What is the view of the society you want to create if you become the leader and eventually become the prime minister?

“What is the vision? What vision do they have? What new ideas do they have?”

As for the National Party, its former leader said “I think it has to fundamentally rethink how they will apply what is loosely called Capitalism.”

Bolger was being interviewed on Sunday 28 November by Jack Tame on the Q+A programme which receives just under a million taxpayer dollars a year from NZ on Air. The following Sunday, Tame “sat down” with Luxon for a 26-minute interview in which, Q+A’s web page promised, National’s new leader would set out “his vision for the country.”

Sadly, vision was not a word that came up in either Tame’s questions or Luxon’s answers in an exchange that was more like a high-powered job interview than a discussion about politics and ideas. Luxon admitted catching “a glimpse” of the Bolger interview and Tame asked him what he thought about his predecessor’s desire to revisit Capitalism.

Luxon’s defence of Capitalism – a very good model for the world that had lifted

two billion people out of poverty in the last 20–30 years and was a system that “actually works” – revealed he didn’t understand Bolger’s argument, which had come from a book that Luxon obviously had not read and wasn’t likely to.

The book – Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire – is by Harvard Professor Rebecca Henderson. She believes we need to embrace the idea that “while firms must be profitable if they are to thrive, their purpose must be not only to make money but also to build prosperity and freedom in the context of a liveable planet and a healthy society.”

It is difficult to imagine a conversation about that idea occurring anywhere in New Zealand media. The Q+A’s interview with Luxon was screened at a time when few people watch television. It would have been seen by about 90,000 viewers, a fraction of the prime time audience on which the state broadcaster relies for revenue – and profit.

So it’s depressing to report that on our only other form of taxpayer-funded public broadcasting, Radio New Zealand, Checkpoint’s Lisa Owen did not ask Luxon about his vision, instead peppering him with some “quickfire personal” questions of her own.

“Your favorite animal please? (Guinea pigs) What is your superpower? (Solving problems) What is one word to describe you? (Extrovert) Is disloyalty a sacking offense? (Yep) Choose yourself a theme song.(Live Like You Were Dying, Tim McGraw) Who is your favorite former prime minister? (John Key).

For a mentor, Luxon would do better with Bolger than Key. He told Tame that the international political leader he most admired was Barack Obama. Wrong again.

A better answer, given the challenges he faces, would have been former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

BE NATURE-INSPIRED ON KĀPITI ISLAND! Day tours or overnight kiwi spotting tours Fantastic birdlife Incredible bush & coastal walks Cabins & luxury tents

TO BOOK: 0800 527 484

kapitiisland.com

22

Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

Handy folk to know Health Womens Health 364 6367 AA 0800 229 6757 Arthritis 364 6883 St John Health Shuttle 0800 589 630 Cancer Support 06 367 8065 Stroke support 021 962 366 Plunket 364 7261 St Vincent de Paul 21 1026 74188 Helplines Mental Health Crisis 0800 653 357 Depression helpline 0800 111 757 Healthline 0800 611 116 Lifeline 0800 543 354 Samaritans 0800 727 666 Victim Support 0800 842 846 Youthline 0800 376 633 Alcohol Drug Helpline 0800 787 797 Community Citizens Advice 364 8664 Budgeting 364 6579 Foodbank 364 0051 Menzshed 364 8303 Community Club 364 8754 Timebank 362 6313 Birthright 364 5558 Cobwebs 021 160 2710 Community Patrol 027 230 8836 Amicus 364 6464 Pottery 364 8053 Mainly Music 364 7099 Genealogy 364 7263 Bridge 364 7771 Museum 364 6886 Historical 364 6543 Let’s Sing 364 8731 Ōtaki Players 364 6491 RSA 364 6221 Rotary 06 927 9010 Lions 022 437 1275 FOTOR 364 8918 Transition Towns 364 5573 Waitohu Stream Care 364 0641 Energise Ōtaki 364 6140 Older People Age Concern 0800 243 266 Kids Scouting 364 8949 Toy Library 364 3411 Marriage celebrants Penny Gaylor 027 664 8869 Annie Christie 027 480 4803 Roofer Ryan Roofing 027 243 6451 JS Roofing 0800 577 663 Taxi Ōtaki Shuttles 364 6001 Vets Ōtaki Animal Health 364 7089 Commercial Cleaning Jamies Cleaning 027 738 7111

Auto Central Auto Services 368 2037 Ōtaki Collision Repairs 364 7495 SRS Auto Engineering 364 3322 Electrician Sparky Tom 027 699 3743 Concrete Work Bevan Concrete 0800 427522 Rasmac Contractors 0274 443 041 Koastal Kerb 027 554 0003 Estate Agents First National 364 8350 Harcourts 364 5284 Professionals 364 7720 Tall Poppies 0274 792 772 Property Brokers 06 920 2001 Funeral Directors Harvey Bowler 368 2954 I.C. Mark Ltd 368 8108 Kapiti Coast Funeral 04 298 5168 Waikanae Funeral 04 293 6844 Funeral Celebrant Annie Christie 364 0042 Insurance Inpro 364 6123 Nurseries 100&1 364 7084 Talisman 364 5893 Te Horo Garden Centre 364 2142 Watsons Garden Centre 364 8758 Kapiti Coast District Council General Inquiries 364 9301 Toll Free 0800 486 486 Ōtaki Library 364 9317 Ōtaki Swimming Pool 64 5542 Lawyer Susie Mills Law 364 7190 Simco Lawyers 364 7285 Locksmith Ōtaki Locksmith 021 073 5955 Mowers Mower & Engineering 364 5411 Plumbing About Plumbing 364 5586 Henderson Plumbing 364 5252 Ryan Plumbing & Gas 027 243 6451 Rest Homes Ocean View 364 7399 Enliven 0508 365483 Computers TechMan 022 315 7018 Sports Clubs To come, (when you let us know!)

Storage Ōtaki Secure Storage 0800 364 632 Windows Window & Door Repairs 364 8886

Your trusted local crash repair specialist using the latest up-to-date equipment and technology • • • • • • • • • • •

PPG Water Borne Paint System (Environmentally Friendly) Spray Booth 3D Measuring System Chassis Straightening Machine Inverter Spot Welder Crash Repairs Rust Repairs Plastic Welding Courtesy Cars All Insurance/Broker Work

It's your vehicle, you can tell your insurer who you want to use – Keep it local, call us today

Simon Taylor: Owner/Manager 3 Arthur St, Otaki Ph 06 36 47495

otakicr@gmail.com

www.otakicollisionrepairs.co.nz

Heritage Fund Applications Kāpiti Coast District Council has funding available through its Heritage Fund to assist landowners to manage and protect heritage features.

NOW OPEN

The Heritage Fund was established to help landowners to look after heritage features, including ecological, geological, historical, and cultural sites. The fund is contestable, with $38,000 available for the current financial year. Applications for this year’s funding round close at 5pm, Monday 20 December 2021.

The following projects may qualify for funding: • Fencing off and permanently protecting native bush, heritage trees, wetlands, stream banks and other heritage features;

Cobwebs Op-Shop Main Street Tuesday – Friday 10 – 4pm Saturday 10 – 1pm

currently needing kitchen ware and bric-a-brac

• Ongoing management of heritage areas such as ecological sites; • Painting, restoration, maintenance of heritage buildings and structures; • Maintenance of heritage trees; • Research and/or community education projects focussed on heritage management and protection.

More information on the Heritage Fund, eligibility criteria and application forms are available on the Council’s website at kapiticoast.govt.nz/heritage-fund or by contacting Andy McKay, Programme Manager Biodiversity & Landscapes on (04) 296 4653, andy.mckay@kapiticoast.govt.nz

For all Kerbing, Paving, Floors, Drives, Paths and Concrete Work FREE QUOTES Phone Nathan Howell 027 554 0003

Ōtaki Churches welcome you ANGLICAN

Ōtaki Anglican Rev. Simon and Rev. Jessica Falconer.

06 364-7099. All Saints Church, 47 Te Rauparaha St. every Sunday at Hadfield Hall, 10am Christmas Eve: 10.30pm Hadfield Hall.

Christmas Day: 10am Hadfield Hall.

For Hadfield Hall bookings, email office@otakianglican.nz Ōtaki Rangiatea Church Services 37 Te Rauparaha St, Sunday Eucharist: 9am Church viewing hours, school terms: Mon–Fri 9.30am–1.30pm 364 6838 email: rangiatea.church@xtra.co.nz Shannon no service Whakarongotai marae, Waikanae 2nd Sunday, 11.30 Levin Ngatokowaru Marae Hokio Beach Road, 4th Sunday, 11am

CATHOLIC Ōtaki

Baptist Tel: 364 8540 Cnr Te Manuao Road/SH1 10am service Presbyterian Rev. Peter L. Jackson Tel: 364 6346 249 Mill Rd, Ōtaki Worship: 11am Cafe Church: 2nd Sunday, 10.45am

St Mary’s “Pukekaraka” 4 Convent Road Weekend Mass Sunday Mass, 10am Christmas Eve Mass is 7pm and Christmas Day is 9am, vaccine pass required.

Kuku St Stephens No Mass until further notice.

Acts Churches The HUB 157 Tasman Rd, Ōtaki, Tel: 364 6911 10.15am Family service, 10.15am Big Wednesday

23

Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

Hartley Electrical Contracting Ltd

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Otaki

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• New and re-roofing • Longrun coloursteel • P.V.C & Coloursteel Spouting • Repairs and Maintenance • Flashing Fabrication • Sheetmetal Work 0272 436 451 06 362 6595

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Call Mike Watson Free 0800 620 720 or Otaki 364 8886 Find me at: www.windowseal.co.nz Or like at: facebook.com/windowseal

ŌTAKI LOCKSMITH

RANCHSLIDER & KEYS cut WINDOW REPAIRS

RANCHSLIDER: Wheels & Locks - TRACKS REPAIRED

WINDOW: Hinges replaced & new catches fitted KEYS: cut LOCKS: repaired or new locks fitted

Otalu SHUTTLE SERVICE

Phone Sam Whitt NOW

021 073 5955

Specialised repair No Travel Charge

Phone: 0274 443 041 or 0274 401 738

• Earthmoving / Aggregate • Drainage Site Works / Section Clearing • Drive Ways Excavation / Tarseal / Hot Mix • Top Soil / Farm Roads

06 364-6001 • 027 439 0131 SEVEN DAY A WEEK SERVICE UNTIL MIDNIGHT • • • • •

Ōtaki to Waikanae $35 Ōtaki to Paraparaumu $50 $10 + $5 per passenger between beach and plateau Further afield trips negotiable Airport and bus connections

Book online at otakishuttle.co.nz Please confirm by phone for weekend web bookings Evening jobs need to be booked

EFTPOS available in vehicle

ŌTAKI Secure Storage • Secure storage • long or short-term • smoke alarms and security cameras • any size, from garden shed to house-lots 13 & 19 Riverbank Road 0800 364 632 www.otakisecurestorage.co.nz

24

Ōtaki Mail – January 2022

Ōtaki Surf Lifesaving Clubs newest Lifeguards and Patrol Support Clubbies, along with their awesome Instructors.

The 2021/22 Surf Patrol Season has officially kicked off. And what better way to do it than to present all of our new Lifeguard and Patrol Support Clubbies with their flash new uniforms. We’d like to say a huge thanks to our Instructors Max McHugo, Lily Yaxley, Justine Fleming and Paul Carlyon for getting this awesome bunch of clubbies through these awards.

We want to make sure you & your whānau get home safe after a day at the beach. Whether you’re planning on staycationing here for summer or visiting another beach, here are some tips that are good to know: • If Santa is getting the kids a boogie board for Christmas, make sure he includes fins and an attached leash! A leash that’s attached to the boogie board means your child will have a flotation device if they get into difficulty in the water – and fins will give them extra

kicking power so they can swim back to shore!

• Blow-up pool toys are not really welcome at any NZ Beach. These bad boys may look cool, but the wind will sweep you out to sea FAST. DEFINITELY. NOT. FUN. Pool toys, not beach toys, peeps.

• If you get caught in a rip, please remember the 3Rs, it is your best chance of making it out! RELAX and float to conserve energy; RAISE your hand to signal for help; RIDE the Rip until it stops and you can swim back to shore or help arrives.

• Always keep your children close enough to cuddle. Beach conditions change quickly.

• Know your limits. There’s no shame in it – it could save lives! Let’s get everybody home for Christmas.

• Check out www.safeswim.org.nz/ for local conditions, hazards and patrol times.

On that note, we wish you all a wonderful holiday season with Whanau and Friends.

Here’s hoping the sunshine and good times are abundant and you all find yourselves on Santa’s nice list.

See you at the beach!

Tennis team at or near top of tables

BY FRANK NEILL Ōtaki Sports Club’s five tennis teams are all sitting at or near the top of their tables following the 4 December round of play.

The club’s top junior team, the Hit and Misses, is dominating their competition – the Kapi Mana junior mixed C grade.

The team of David and Samuel Leason, Pearl Glanville Hall, Matthew Bird and Elsie O’Sullivan was undefeated when this issue of the Ōtaki Mail went to print.

They had amassed 36 competition points, 11 more than second placed Whitby Blue. The Ōtaki Sports Club’s other junior team, the Aces, were in third place on 23 points, just two points behind Whitby.

In the latest two rounds, the Hit and Misses defeated Waikanae Beach 6-0 on 13 November and then scored a 5-1 victory over Paraparaumu Beach Rallyers on 27 November.

The Aces beat Pukerua Bay 5-1 on 20 November, but then lost 0-7 to Whitby Blue

on 4 December. Daya Bramley, Wyeth Andrews, Zac Heenan, Riley Cohen and Stanley Butler are the Aces team members.

Four wins on the trot has seen the club’s top senior team move into second place on the Wellington mixed A grade competition table.

The team of Adam Shelton, Tom Caines, Emma Whiterod, Monique Moore and Callan Nikora outclassed Johnsonville 1 on 13 November, winning the match 5-1. They achieved the same scoreline on 20 November when they defeated Kilbirnie.

A whitewash came their way on 27 November, when they beat Churton Park Spices 6-0.

With that victory Ōtaki Sports Club had scored 35 points – just three points short of Vogelmorn’s total of 38 points.

Following losses to Paekakariki on 20 November and Paraparaumu Beach on 27 November, Ōtaki’s second senior team returned to its winning ways on 28 November, when it beat Ngaio 4-2.

They then followed that up with a 5-1 victory over Johnsonville on 4 December.

Those two wins saw them climb into third place on the Wellington mixed B grade competition.

The mixed B team members are Ben Gardner, Gary Quigan, Heitia Raureti, Ema Moore, Fiona Wilson and Lilian Bramley.

Although still juniors, Ōtaki’s The Racketeers are lying third in the Wellington sixth grade competition.

The team of Callan Nikora, Archie O’Sullivan, Forest Glanville Hall, Nathan Sparrow and Thorsten Edginton won both their latest matches before the deadline for this issue of the paper.

They defeated Tawa 5-1 on 20 November, but only just defeated Island Bay on a countback after the scores were tied at 3-3 on 27 November.

Tia McKay in action for the Ōtaki mixed A team.

Ōtaki bowlers close to the top

Titan wins two bronze medals

BY FRANK NEILL

BY FRANK NEILL

Six wins from its nine events helped the Ōtaki Bowling Club into third place following the latest round of the Bowls Kāpiti Coast inter-club competition, played at the Levin Central Bowling club on 5 December.

Mark McGlone, who won all three of his inter-club singles matches on 5 Dec.

Paraparaumu Beach leads the second division competition with 12 points, and Ōtaki is just one and a half games behind them on 10.5 points at the halfway point of the competition.

The Ōtaki Bowling club’s singles champion Mark McGlone was in outstanding form again, winning all three of his matches on 5 December. Mark has now won five of the six games he has played in the inter-club event.

The Ōtaki pairs team of Ross McLean and Dennis Crone scored two wins in the latest round, and also had one loss.

The Ōtaki fours team of Hugh Daubney, Roger Papps, John Donaghue and skip Paul Selby finished the day with one in one draw and one loss.

Although the men’s section of the competition went ahead, the women’s section was cancelled because of wet weather.

Anyone interested in trying their hand at bowling is welcome to attend the club’s Waerenga Road greens on Wednesdays or Sundays from 1pm. Bowls will be supplied, and those wanting to try their hand will need to wear flat soled shoes.

Ōtaki Titan Kupa Gardner secured two podium finishes at the Swimming Wellington under 12 junior championships, held at the Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre in Kilbirnie on 4 and 5 December.

Kupa kept his best performance until his last race, the 100 metres backstroke.

Not only did he win a bronze medal, he also shaved 1.35 seconds from his personal best time when he clocked an impressive 1 minute 30.1 seconds.

Kupa’s second podium finish also saw him win a bronze medal, this time in the 50 metres butterfly.

The only Ōtaki Titan competing at the event, Kupa swam in six events, clocking personal best times in four of these.

As well as the 100 metres backstroke, he clocked new best times in 3 other races.

He eclipsed his old time by 6.74 seconds in the 200 metres breaststroke, when he clocked 3 minutes 29.10 seconds and finished just out of the medals in 4th place.

His time of 46.09 seconds in the 50 metres breaststroke was 2.62 seconds

faster than he had swum the event before and he swam the 100 metres individual medley in 1 minute 31.85 seconds, 0.42 second faster than his previous best.

Kupa also claimed top six finishes in the 50 metres breaststroke, 50 metres backstroke and 100 metres individual medley.

The three Titans who swam at the Ribbon Meet, held at the Tawa Pool on 29 November, all came away with ribbons for swimming personal best times.

Deryn Watkins swam her best time of 56.03 seconds in the 50 metres backstroke, and also swam the 50 metres freestyle in 52.45 seconds.

Carys Watkins notched up two personal best times – 1 minute 45.96 seconds in the 100 metres freestyle and 1 minute 54.60 seconds in the 100 metres individual medley. She also finished the 50 metres backstroke in exactly 50 seconds.

Ruby Rassmusen’s personal best came in the 50 metres freestyle when she clocked 1 minute 34.85 seconds. Ruby also swam the 100 metres individual medley in 1 minute 51.93 seconds and the 50 metres backstroke in 52 seconds.

Ōtaki Mail – a community newspaper produced monthly by Penny, Ann & Lloyd. Printed by Beacon Print, Whakatane.

If you have any news, or don’t receive your paper by the end of the month, please let us know by phoning 027 664 8869.